US20080070181A1 - Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances - Google Patents
Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080070181A1 US20080070181A1 US11/841,477 US84147707A US2008070181A1 US 20080070181 A1 US20080070181 A1 US 20080070181A1 US 84147707 A US84147707 A US 84147707A US 2008070181 A1 US2008070181 A1 US 2008070181A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- dentition
- oral appliance
- housing
- oral
- scanning
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
- H04R25/606—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
- B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B33Y80/00—Products made by additive manufacturing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
- H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
- A63B71/085—Mouth or teeth protectors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
- B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B33Y50/00—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2225/77—Design aspects, e.g. CAD, of hearing aid tips, moulds or housings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2460/13—Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems for manufacturing oral appliances which are positionable within a cavity of a patient, such as the oral cavity, for enhancing sound conduction through teeth or bone structures in and/or around the mouth to enable a user to receive auditory signals.
- Hearing loss affects over 31 million people in the United States (about 13% of the population). As a chronic condition, the incidence of hearing impairment rivals, that of heart disease and, like heart disease, the incidence of hearing impairment increases sharply with age.
- Hearing loss adversely affects a person's quality of life and psychological well-being. Individuals with hearing impairment often withdraw from social interactions to avoid frustrations resulting from inability to understand conversations. Recent studies have shown that hearing impairment causes increased stress levels, reduced self-confidence, reduced sociability and reduced effectiveness in the workplace.
- the human ear generally comprises three regions: thee outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.
- the outer ear generally comprises the external auricle and the ear canal, which is a tubular pathway through which sound reaches the middle ear.
- the outer ear is separated from the middle ear by the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
- the middle ear generally comprises three small bones, known as the ossicles, which form a mechanical conductor from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear.
- the inner ear includes the cochlea, which is a fluid-filled structure that contains a large number of delicate sensory hair cells that are connected to the auditory nerve.
- Hearing loss can also be classified in terms of being conductive, sensorineural, or a combination of both.
- Conductive hearing impairment typically results from diseases or disorders that limit the transmission of sound through the middle ear. Most conductive impairments can be treated medically or surgically. Purely conductive hearing loss represents a relatively small portion of the total hearing impaired population (estimated at less than 5% of the total hearing impaired population).
- Sensorineural, hearing losses occur mostly in the inner ear and account for the vast majority of hearing impairment (estimated at 90-95% of the total hearing impaired population).
- Sensorineural hearing impairment (sometimes called “nerve loss”) is largely caused by damage to the sensory hair cells inside the cochlea.
- Sensorineural hearing impairment occurs naturally as a result of aging or prolonged exposure to loud music and noise. This type of hearing loss cannot be reversed nor can it be medically or surgically treated; however, the use of properly fitted hearing devices can improve the individual's quality of life.
- Conventional hearing devices are the most common devices used to treat mild to severe sensorineural hearing impairment. These are acoustic devices that amplify sound to the tympanic membrane. These devices are individually customizable to the patient's physical and acoustical characteristics over four to six separate visits to an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Such devices generally comprise a microphone, amplifier, battery, and speaker. Recently, hearing device manufacturers have increased the sophistication of sound processing, often using digital technology, to provide features such as programmability and multi-band compression. Although these devices have been miniaturized and are less obtrusive, they are still visible and have major acoustic limitation.
- the primary obstacles for not purchasing a hearing device generally include: a) the stigma associated with wearing a hearing device; b) dissenting attitudes on the part of the medical profession, particularly ENT physicians; c) product value issues related to perceived performance problems; d) general lack of information and education at the consumer and physician level; and e) negative word-of-mouth from dissatisfied users.
- cochlear implants have been developed for people who have severe to profound hearing loss and are essentially deaf (approximately 2%, of the total hearing impaired population).
- the electrode of a cochlear implant is inserted into the inner ear in an invasive and non-reversible surgery.
- the electrode electrically stimulates the auditory nerve through an electrode array that provides audible cues to the user, which are not usually interpreted by the brain as normal sound. Users generally require intensive and extended counseling and training following surgery to achieve the expected benefit.
- Other devices such as electronic middle ear implants generally are surgically placed within the middle ear of the hearing impaired. They are surgically implanted devices with an externally worn component.
- hearing devices are custom manufactured, fabricated by the manufacturer to fit the ear of each prospective purchaser. An impression of the ear canal is taken by the dispenser (either an audiologist or licensed hearing instrument specialist) and mailed to the manufacturer for interpretation and fabrication of the custom molded rigid plastic casing. Hand-wired electronics and transducers (microphone and speaker) are then placed inside the casing, and the final product is shipped back to the dispensing professional after some period of time, typically one to two 1 weeks.
- the time cycle for dispensing a hearing device typically spans a period over several weeks, such as six to eight weeks, and involves multiple with the dispenser.
- An electronic and transducer device may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly.
- a removable oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods.
- the electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.
- the vibrating transducer element may transmit the processed sounds via other routes such as underlying cartilage tissue or other implantable structures.
- the assembly for transmitting vibrations via at least one tooth may generally comprise a housing having a shape which is conformable to at least a portion of the at least one tooth, and an actuatable transducer disposed within or upon the housing and in vibratory communication with a surface of the at least one tooth.
- the appliance may generally conform closely to the patient's dentition such that intimate contact between the transducer and the surface Of the at least one tooth is securely maintained. Despite the secure contact, patient comfort is ideally maintained as well.
- one method for fabricating the oral appliance may generally comprise scanning at least the portion of the dentition such that a corresponding three-dimensional image is created, manipulating the image such that the housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly is positioned along a side surface of the dentition, and forming the oral appliance having the housing portion from the image whereby the oral appliance is conformable to the portion of dentition.
- Another method for fabricating the oral appliance may generally comprise adhering the housing along the side surface of thee portion of dentition, scanning at least the portion of the dentition having the housing such that a corresponding three-dimensional image is created, and forming the oral appliance having the housing portion from the image whereby the oral appliance is conformable to the portion of dentition.
- Yet another method for fabricating the oral appliance may generally comprise providing a dental tray sized to cover at least the portion of the patient's dentition, wherein the dental tray defines the housing, filling a channel defined along the dental tray with a settable polymer, placing at least the portion of the patient's dentition within the channel such that the polymer conforms to a shape of the dentition until the polymer hardens, and removing the dental tray from the hardened polymer.
- the oral appliance can be used in a variety of applications, including hearing aid applications.
- the appliance can also be used in general sound transmission for medical and communication applications such, as treating tinnitus, treating stuttering problem.
- the appliance can communicate through cellular and Bluetooth to provide one-way or two-way communications, among others.
- the appliance can also be used to store personally identifiable medical information for certain military or medical identification purposes.
- FIG. 1 illustrates the dentition of a patient's teeth and one variation of a hearing aid device which is removably placed upon or against the patient's tooth or teeth as a removable oral appliance;
- FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the lower teeth showing one exemplary location for placement of the removable oral appliance hearing aid device
- FIG. 2B illustrates another variation of the removable oral appliance in the form of an appliance which is placed over an entire row of teeth in the manner of a mouthguard.
- FIG. 2C illustrates another variation of the removable oral appliance which is supported by an arch.
- FIG. 2D illustrates another variation of an oral appliance configured as a mouthguard.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a detail perspective view of the oral appliance positioned upon the patient's teeth utilizable in combination with a transmitting assembly external to the mouth and wearable by the patient in another variation of the device.
- FIG. 4 shows an illustrative configuration of the individual components in a variation of the oral appliance device having an external transmitting assembly with a receiving and transducer assembly within the mouth.
- FIG. 5 shows an illustrative configuration of another variation of the device in which the entire assembly is contained by the oral appliance within the user's mouth.
- FIGS. 6A to 6 D illustrate one method for forming the oral appliance by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance via any number of three-dimensional printing methods.
- FIGS. 7A to 7 D illustrate another method for forming the oral appliance by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance via any number of machining methods.
- FIGS. 8A to 8 D illustrate another method for forming the oral appliance by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance by creating a physical replica of the dentition for thermal forming.
- FIGS. 9A to 9 D illustrate yet another method for forming the oral appliance. by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance via an injectable mold.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B show another method in which the housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly maybe adhered directly to the patient's tooth or teeth prior to scanning.
- FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate yet another method utilizing the creation of a direct impression of the dentition via a mold.
- Figs. 11C to 11 F illustrate one method for utilizing a mold or model formed from a direct impression of the dentition to thermally form an oral appliance thereupon.
- FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate yet another method utilizing a direct impression of the dentition having a housing adhered thereto.
- FIGS. 12C to 12 E illustrate another method for utilizing a mold or model having a housing formed therein created from a direct impression of the dentition to thermally form an oral appliance thereupon.
- FIGS. 13A to 13 C illustrate yet another method where the impression may have a housing formed therein prior to forming the oral appliance.
- FIGS. 14A to 14 C illustrate yet another method where the electronics and/or transducer assembly may be integrated with the impression.
- FIG. 15A shows an example of a dental tray having an electronics and/or transducer housing integrated therewith.
- FIGS. 15B to 15 D illustrate an example for utilizing the dental tray where a polymer may be conformed to the patient's dentition and hardened to create a conforming oral appliance.
- An electronic and transducer device may be attached, adhered or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a hearing aid assembly.
- a removable oral appliance or other oral device may be a custom-made device fabricated through a variety of different process utilizing, e.g., a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by any number of methods, as described below in further detail.
- the oral appliance may accordingly be created to fit, adhere, or be otherwise disposed upon a portion of the patient's dentition to maintain the electronics and transducer device against the patient's dentition securely and comfortably.
- the electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.
- a patient's mouth and dentition 10 is illustrated showing one possible location for removably attaching hearing aid assembly 14 upon or against at least one tooth, such as a molar 12 .
- the patient's tongue TG and palate PL are also illustrated for reference.
- An electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon the assembly 14 , as described below in further detail.
- FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the patient's lower dentition. illustrating the hearing aid assembly 14 comprising a removable oral appliance 18 and the electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 positioned along a side surface of the assembly 14 .
- oral appliance 18 may be fitted upon two molars 12 within tooth engaging channel 20 defined by oral appliance 18 for st ability upon the patient's teeth, although in other variations, a single molar or tooth may be utilized. Alternatively, more than two molars may be utilized for the oral appliance 18 to be attached upon or over.
- electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 is shown positioned upon a side surface of oral appliance 18 such that the assembly 16 is aligned along a buccal surface of the tooth 12 ; however, other surfaces such as the lingual surface of the tooth 12 and other positions may also be utilized.
- the figures are illustrative of variations and are not intended to be limiting; accordingly, other configurations and shapes for oral appliance 18 are intended to be included herein.
- FIG. 2B shows another variation of a removable oral appliance in the form of an appliance 15 .
- appliance 15 may be configured to cover an entire bottom row of teeth or alternatively an entire upper row of teeth.
- Assembly 16 may be positioned along one or more portions of the oral appliance 15 .
- FIG. 2C shows yet another variation of an oral appliance 17 having an arched configuration.
- one or more tooth retaining portions 21 , 23 which in this variation may be placed along the upper row of teeth, may be supported by an arch 19 which may lie adjacent or along the palate of the user.
- electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 may be positioned along one or more portions of the tooth. retaining portions 21 , 23 .
- the variation shown illustrates an arch 19 which may cover only a portion of the palate of the user, other variations may be configured to have an arch which covers the entire palate of the user.
- FIG. 2D illustrates yet another variation of an oral appliance in the form of a mouthguard or retainer 25 which may be inserted and removed easily from the user's mouth.
- a mouthguard or retainer 25 may be used in sports where conventional mouthguards are worn; however, mouthguard or retainer 25 having assembly 16 integrated therein may be utilized by persons, hearing impaired or otherwise, who may simply hold the mouthguard or retainer 25 via grooves or channels 26 between their teeth for receiving instructions remotely and communicating over a distance.
- the volume of electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 may be minimized so as to be unobtrusive and as comfortable to the user when placed in the mouth.
- a volume of assembly 16 may be less than 800 cubic millimeters. This volume is, of course, illustrative and not limiting as size and volume of assembly 16 and may be varied accordingly between different users.
- an extra-buccal transmitter assembly 22 located outside the patient's mouth may be utilized to receive auditory signals for processing and transmission via a wireless signal 24 .
- the electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 positioned within the patient's mouth may then process and transmit the processed auditory signals via vibratory conductance to the underlying tooth and consequently to the patient's inner ear.
- the transmitter assembly 22 may contain a microphone assembly as welt as a transmitter assembly and may be configured in any number of shapes and forms worn by the user, such as a watch, necklace, lapel, phone, belt-mounted device, etc.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of one variation of hearing aid assembly 14 utilizing an extra-buccal transmitter assembly 22 , which may generally comprise ,microphone 30 for receiving sounds and which is electrically connected to processor 32 for processing the auditory signals.
- Processor 32 may be connected electrically to transmitter 34 for transmitting the processed signals to the electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 disposed upon or adjacent to the user's teeth.
- the microphone 30 and processor 32 may be configured to detect and process auditory signals in any practicable range, but may be configured in one variation to detect auditory signals ranging from, e.g., 250 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz.
- microphone 30 may be a digital, analog, and/or directional type microphone. Such various types of microphones may be interchangeably configured to be utilized with the assembly, if so desired.
- Power supply 36 may be connected to each of the components in transmitter assembly 22 to provide power thereto.
- the transmitter signals 24 may be in any wireless form utilizing, e.g., radio frequency, ultrasound, microwave, Blue Tooth® (BLUETOOTH SIG, INC., Bellevue, Wash.), etc. for transmission to assembly 16 .
- Assembly 22 may also optionally include one or more input controls 28 that a user may manipulate to adjust various acoustic parameters of the electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 , such as acoustic focusing, volume control, filtration, muting, frequency optimization, sound adjustments, and tone adjustments, etc.
- the signals transmitted 24 by transmitter 34 may be received by electronics and/or transducer assembly 16 via receiver 38 , which may be connected to an internal processor for additional processing of the received signals.
- the received signals may be communicated to transducer 40 , which may vibrate correspondingly against a surface of the tooth to conduct the vibratory signals through the tooth and bone and subsequently to the middle ear to facilitate hearing of the user.
- Transducer 40 may be, configured as any number of different vibratory mechanisms.
- transducer 40 may be an electromagnetically actuated transducer.
- transducer 40 may be in the form of a piezoelectric crystal having a range of vibratory frequencies, e.g., between 250 to 4000 kHz.
- Power supply 42 may also be included with assembly 16 to provide power to the receiver, transducer, and/or processor, if also included.
- power supply 42 may be a simple battery, replaceable or permanent
- other variations may include a power supply 42 which is charged by inductance via an external charger.
- power supply 42 may alternatively be charged via direct coupling to an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) source.
- AC alternating current
- DC direct current
- Other variations may include a power supply 42 which is charged via a mechanical mechanism, such as an internal pendulum or slidable electrical inductance charger as known in the art, which is actuated via, e.g., motions of the jaw and/or movement for translating the mechanical motion into stored electrical energy for charging power supply 42 .
- hearing aid assembly 50 may be configured as an independent assembly contained entirely within the user's mouth as shown in FIG. 5 .
- assembly 50 may include an internal microphone 52 in communication with an on-board processor 54 .
- Internal microphone 52 may comprise any number of different types of microphones, as described above.
- Processor 54 nay be used to process any received auditory signals for filtering and/or amplifying the signals and transmitting them to transducer 56 , which is in vibratory contact against the tooth surface.
- Power supply 58 as described above, may also be included within assembly 50 for providing power to each of the components of assembly 50 as necessary.
- the removable oral appliance 18 may be fabricated from various polymeric or a combination of polymeric and metallic materials using any variety of methods. For instance, in one variation of fabricating an oral appliance, a three-dimensional digital scanner may be used to image the dentition of the patient, particularly the tooth or teeth TH upon or about which the oral appliance is to be positioned. The scanned image may be processed via a computer to create a three-dimensional virtual or digital model 60 of the tooth or teeth TH, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B .
- Various three-dimensional scanning modalities may be utilized to create the three-dimensional digital model 60 .
- intra-oral cameras or scanners using, e.g., laser, white light, ultrasound, mechanical three-dimensional touch scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), other optical methods, etc., may be utilized.
- MRI magnetic resonance imaging
- CT computed tomography
- the image may then be manipulated via conventional software to create a direct three-dimensional print of the model.
- the image may be used to directly machine the model.
- Systems such as computer numerical control (CNC) systems or thee-dimensional printing processes, e.g., stereolithography apparatus (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and/or other similar processes utilizing three-dimensional geometry of the patient's dentition may be utilized.
- CNC computer numerical control
- SLA stereolithography apparatus
- SLS selective laser sintering
- other similar processes utilizing three-dimensional geometry of the patient's dentition
- a mold may be generated from the print to then allow for thermal forming of the appliance directly upon the created mold.
- the three-dimensional image may be used to create an injection mold for creating the appliance.
- the housing 62 for the electronics/transducer assembly may be digitally imposed or created in the digital model 60 .
- a physical model of the housing may be positioned upon the appropriate tooth or teeth TH and the dentition with the housing may be scanned to create the digital model 60 .
- the resulting digital model 60 may be utilized to create a three-dimensional virtual or digital model of the appliance 64 having the housing 62 integrated therewith, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view in FIG. 6C .
- the digital model of the appliance 64 may then be used to print or create the physical oral appliance 66 , as shown in FIG. 6D .
- an oral appliance 66 which conforms to the patient's dentition may be formed to ensure secure contact upon or against the dentition while maintaining comfort to the user.
- oral appliance 68 may be machined directly, e.g., utilizing computer numerical control machining, from polymeric materials to create the appliance 68 , as shown in FIG. 7D .
- a physical model of the dentition 70 may be created utilizing any of the processes above, such as three-dimensional printing, machining, etc, as shown in FIG. 8C .
- oral appliance 72 may be thermal formed or otherwise molded about dentition 70 to create oral appliance which conforms securely and comfortably to the patient's dentition, as shown in FIG. 8D .
- an forming mold 74 may be fabricated having an outer mold portion 76 and an inner mold portion 78 which forms a cavity or void 80 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 9C .
- the cavity or void 80 may be entirely filled with a settable polymer which when cured forms oral appliance 82 , as shown in FIG. 9D , which may be removed from the mold portions 76 , 78 to form appliance 82 which conforms securely and comfortably to the patient's dentition.
- a housing replica 84 may alternatively be adhered temporarily to a patient's tooth or teeth TH prior to scanning, the dentition, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B .
- the three-dimensional scanner may create the digital image having the housing replica 84 already included.
- an alternative mechanism for creating a conformable oral appliance may utilize impression molding of the appropriate dentition.
- an impression 92 of patient's dentition may be formed by utilizing a mold 90 filled with a suitable impression material, e.g., alginate, plaster, polyvinylsiloxane, polyurethane, polyacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate, and blends or combinations thereof, etc.
- An impression of the dentition may also be formed after a replica of housing mold 84 has been affixed temporarily to the tooth or teeth TH, as shown in FIG. 12A , prior to forming an impression 94 having the housing formed therein, as shown in FIG. 12B .
- the mold 90 may be filled with a plaster to create a permanent, three-dimensional mold or model of the appropriate dentition, which may then be used to thermally form an oral appliance or which may be scanned digitally to utilize any of the forming or machining processes, as described above.
- the impression 92 , 94 itself may be scanned to render a three-dimensional model of the appropriate dentition and/or housing for processing, also as above.
- mold 90 having impression 92 formed therein may be used to form the three-dimensional mold or model 95 , as mentioned above and as shown in FIG. 11D .
- an electronics and/or transducer housing 97 may be attached or adhered to the mold or model 95 , as shown in FIG. 11E , and the oral appliance 98 may then be thermal formed directly thereupon resulting in the oral appliance 98 appropriately formed having a housing, as shown in FIG. 11F .
- a mold or model 99 may be formed, e.g., from plaster, resulting in a three-dimensional mold or model 99 , as shown in FIG. 12D .
- the oral appliance 98 may then be thermal formed directly, over the mold or model 99 , to result in the appliance 98 of FIG. 12E .
- the resulting, mold or model may alternatively be scanned to create a digital image of the dentition, as described above, rather than thermal forming directly upon the mold or model.
- the mold 90 having an impression 92 formed therein may have an electronics and/or transducer assembly 96 impressed into the mold 90 , as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B .
- the mold material may be cured, or otherwise activated to harden, after which oral appliance 98 may be machined or formed therefrom resulting in an appliance 98 which conforms with the user's dentition, as shown in FIG. 13C .
- electronics and/or transducer assembly 96 may be positioned within the appropriate mold location, as shown in FIG. 14B , and the mold 90 may be cured or otherwise activated to harden. From this hardened mold 90 , oral appliance 98 may likewise be formed via machining or forming while having the assembly 96 contained therein, as shown in FIG. 14C .
- a dental tray 100 having a channel 102 for the user's dentition may be provided having an electronics and/or transducer housing 104 pre-formed along a lingual or buccal orientation of the dental tray 100 .
- FIG. 15A illustrates a full dental tray 100 having housing 104 located along a buccal surface of the tray 100 , although partial trays may alternatively be utilized and other locations for housing 104 may also be implemented.
- An electronics and/or transducer assembly 106 may be pre-positioned, within housing 104 while held via one or more temporary spacers 108 , as shown in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 15B .
- tray 100 may be filled with any of the settable or curable materials 112 described above or may comprise a moisture-activated hydrogel utilizing, e.g., a dispenser 110 , until the materials 112 fill any spaces or voids around assembly 106 to encapsulate assembly 106 .
- the user may then place the tray 100 upon the appropriate portion of the dentition until the tooth or teeth TH is positioned sufficiently within tray 100 , as shown in FIG. 15C .
- the tray 100 may be maintained upon the tooth or teeth TH until the material 112 has set and hardened.
- the tray 100 with the conforming impression may then be removed from the patient's mouth and the resulting oral appliance 114 and assembly 106 may be removed from tray 100 and trimmed or machined as appropriate, as shown in FIG. 15D .
- oral appliance 114 may be formed about the patient's dentition without assembly 106 , which may be integrated, attached, or otherwise affixed, e.g., via adhesives, after oral appliance 114 has been formed.
- tray 190 may comprise a preformed tray made from, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate .or polyethylene material, which may be heated or boiled to activate the tray 100 . Once activated, the user may bite into tray 100 to at least partially mold or conform tray 100 to the user's dentition. Assembly 106 may be included or integrated after the tray 100 has been conformed.
- the system first fabricates a scaffold of an oral appliance, using a rapid prototyping system called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).
- FDM Fused Deposition Modeling
- the scaffold is subsequently immersed into a resin to strengthen the scaffold. Excess, resin and support material is then trimmed from the scaffold to arrive at a finished device.
- FDM is one way to generate the oral appliance.
- a plastic filament is unwound from, a coil and supplies material to an extrusion nozzle.
- the nozzle is heated to melt the plastic and has a mechanism which allows the flow of the melted plastic to be controlled.
- the nozzle is mounted to a mechanical stage which can be moved three-dimensionally. As the nozzle is moved over the required geometry, it deposits a thin bead of extruded plastic to form each layer.
- the plastic hardens immediately after being squirted from the nozzle and bonds to the layer below.
- the entire system is contained within an oven chamber which is held at a temperature just below the melting point of the plastic.
- SLS Selective Laser Sintering
- a laser beam is traced over the surface of a tightly compacted powder made of thermoplastic material.
- the powder is spread by a roller over the surface of a build cylinder.
- a piston moves down one object layer thickness to accommodate the layer of powder.
- the piston moves upward incrementally to supply powder for the process.
- Heat from the laser melts the powder where it strikes under guidance of the scanner system.
- the laser used provides a concentrated infrared heating beam.
- the entire fabrication chamber is sealed and maintained at a temperature just below the melting point of the plastic powder. Thus, heat from the laser need only elevate the temperature slightly to cause sintering, greatly speeding the process.
- the piston is raised to elevate the object. Excess powder is simply brushed away and final manual finishing may be carried out.
- a 3D printer using inkjet head can be used.
- the method is very reminiscent of selective laser sintering, except that the laser is replaced by an inkjet head.
- the multi-channel jetting head deposits a liquid adhesive compound onto the top layer of a bed of powder object material. The particles of the powder become bonded in the areas where the adhesive is deposited.
- the piston moves down by the thickness of a layer.
- the powder supply system (E) is similar in function to the build cylinder. In this case the piston moves upward incrementally to supply powder for the process and the roller (D) spreads and compresses the powder on the top of the build cylinder. The process is repeated until the entire object is completed within the powder bed.
- Exemplary machines are available from Z Corp. which uses the process to create models out of starch, plaster and other types of powders.
- Thermal Phase Change inkjets can be used for ballistic particle manufacturing (BPM).
- BPM ballistic particle manufacturing
- the phase change inkjet technologies rely on squirting a build material in a liquid or melted state which cools or otherwise hardens to form a solid on impact.
- Exemplary systems from 3D Systems include the ThermoJet Modeler which utilizes several hundred nozzles.
- a Solidscape machine uses plastic object and wax and support materials which are held in a melted liquid state at elevated temperature in reservoirs. The liquids are fed to individual jetting heads through thermally insulated tubing.
- the jetting heads squirt tiny droplets of the materials as they are moved side to side in the required geometry to form the layer of the object.
- the heads are controlled and only place droplets where they are required to.
- the materials harden by rapidly dropping in temperature as they are deposited. After an entire layer of the object is formed by jetting, a milling head is passed over the layer to make it a uniform thickness. Particles are vacuumed away as the milling head cuts and are captured in a filter. After the object is completed, the wax support material is either melted or dissolved away.
- Photopolymer Phase Change Inkjets process is based on photopolymers, but uses a wide area inkjet head to layerwise deposit both build and support materials. It subsequently completely cures each, layer after it is deposited with a UV flood lamp mounted on the printhead.
- the support material which is also a photopolymer, is removed by washing it away with pressurized water in a secondary operation.
- a blank in lieu of the scaffold, can be used in making a direct-formed mouthguard.
- the blank includes a material conformable to a contours of a user's intra-oral structures at a predetermined temperature range when the blank is subjected to bite pressure and an electronic and/or transducer assembly mounted on the material to couple to at least a portion of a patient's dentition.
- the transducer and/or electronics can be inserted into the material before or after the blank is subjected to bite pressure.
- the blank provides a direct-formed thermoplastic mouthguard in which a stock plastic mouthguard is softened in hot water, placed in the users mouth and formed by the application of bite pressure, or a ready-made stock mouthguard used without the need for any fitting.
- the blank can be low in cost and thus can be sold at retail outlets.
- the blank can be an inner layer of settable thermoplastic material conformable to the contours of the user's intra-oral structures at a predetermined temperature range when said blank is subjected to bite pressure; a core layer of rigid, force-transmitting thermoplastic material disposed adjacent to and coextensively with the inner layer and having a softening temperature higher than the pre-determined, temperature range.
- the core layer is conformable to the general shape of the user's upper or lower row of teeth at said softening temperature to adjust the overall fit of the blank.
- An outer layer of settable, shock-absorbing thermoplastic material is disposed adjacent to and coextensively with the core layer. The outer layer is conformable to the contours of a user's intra-oral structures at a predetermined temperature range when the blank is subjected to bite pressure.
- the electronics and/or the transducer can be placed inside the blank prior to use.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisionnal Patent Application Ser. No. 60/823,160 filed Aug. 22, 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates to systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems for manufacturing oral appliances which are positionable within a cavity of a patient, such as the oral cavity, for enhancing sound conduction through teeth or bone structures in and/or around the mouth to enable a user to receive auditory signals.
- Hearing loss affects over 31 million people in the United States (about 13% of the population). As a chronic condition, the incidence of hearing impairment rivals, that of heart disease and, like heart disease, the incidence of hearing impairment increases sharply with age.
- While the vast majority of those with hearing loss can be helped by a well-fitted, high quality hearing device, only 22% of the total hearing impaired population own hearing devices. Current products and distribution methods are not able to satisfy or reach over 20 million persons with hearing impairment in the U.S. alone.
- Hearing loss adversely affects a person's quality of life and psychological well-being. Individuals with hearing impairment often withdraw from social interactions to avoid frustrations resulting from inability to understand conversations. Recent studies have shown that hearing impairment causes increased stress levels, reduced self-confidence, reduced sociability and reduced effectiveness in the workplace.
- The human ear generally comprises three regions: thee outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear generally comprises the external auricle and the ear canal, which is a tubular pathway through which sound reaches the middle ear. The outer ear is separated from the middle ear by the tympanic membrane (eardrum). The middle ear generally comprises three small bones, known as the ossicles, which form a mechanical conductor from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear. Finally, the inner ear includes the cochlea, which is a fluid-filled structure that contains a large number of delicate sensory hair cells that are connected to the auditory nerve.
- Hearing loss can also be classified in terms of being conductive, sensorineural, or a combination of both. Conductive hearing impairment typically results from diseases or disorders that limit the transmission of sound through the middle ear. Most conductive impairments can be treated medically or surgically. Purely conductive hearing loss represents a relatively small portion of the total hearing impaired population (estimated at less than 5% of the total hearing impaired population).
- Sensorineural, hearing losses occur mostly in the inner ear and account for the vast majority of hearing impairment (estimated at 90-95% of the total hearing impaired population). Sensorineural hearing impairment (sometimes called “nerve loss”) is largely caused by damage to the sensory hair cells inside the cochlea. Sensorineural hearing impairment occurs naturally as a result of aging or prolonged exposure to loud music and noise. This type of hearing loss cannot be reversed nor can it be medically or surgically treated; however, the use of properly fitted hearing devices can improve the individual's quality of life.
- Conventional hearing devices are the most common devices used to treat mild to severe sensorineural hearing impairment. These are acoustic devices that amplify sound to the tympanic membrane. These devices are individually customizable to the patient's physical and acoustical characteristics over four to six separate visits to an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Such devices generally comprise a microphone, amplifier, battery, and speaker. Recently, hearing device manufacturers have increased the sophistication of sound processing, often using digital technology, to provide features such as programmability and multi-band compression. Although these devices have been miniaturized and are less obtrusive, they are still visible and have major acoustic limitation.
- Industry research has shown that the primary obstacles for not purchasing a hearing device generally include: a) the stigma associated with wearing a hearing device; b) dissenting attitudes on the part of the medical profession, particularly ENT physicians; c) product value issues related to perceived performance problems; d) general lack of information and education at the consumer and physician level; and e) negative word-of-mouth from dissatisfied users.
- Other devices such as cochlear implants have been developed for people who have severe to profound hearing loss and are essentially deaf (approximately 2%, of the total hearing impaired population). The electrode of a cochlear implant is inserted into the inner ear in an invasive and non-reversible surgery. The electrode electrically stimulates the auditory nerve through an electrode array that provides audible cues to the user, which are not usually interpreted by the brain as normal sound. Users generally require intensive and extended counseling and training following surgery to achieve the expected benefit.
- Other devices such as electronic middle ear implants generally are surgically placed within the middle ear of the hearing impaired. They are surgically implanted devices with an externally worn component.
- The manufacture, fitting and dispensing of hearing devices remain an arcane and inefficient process. Most hearing devices are custom manufactured, fabricated by the manufacturer to fit the ear of each prospective purchaser. An impression of the ear canal is taken by the dispenser (either an audiologist or licensed hearing instrument specialist) and mailed to the manufacturer for interpretation and fabrication of the custom molded rigid plastic casing. Hand-wired electronics and transducers (microphone and speaker) are then placed inside the casing, and the final product is shipped back to the dispensing professional after some period of time, typically one to two 1 weeks.
- The time cycle for dispensing a hearing device, from the first diagnostic session to the final fine-tuning session, typically spans a period over several weeks, such as six to eight weeks, and involves multiple with the dispenser.
- Accordingly, there exists a need for methods and devices for efficiently manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances for facilitating the treatment of hearing loss in patients.
- An electronic and transducer device may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such a removable oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure. Alternatively and/or additionally the vibrating transducer element may transmit the processed sounds via other routes such as underlying cartilage tissue or other implantable structures.
- The assembly for transmitting vibrations via at least one tooth may generally comprise a housing having a shape which is conformable to at least a portion of the at least one tooth, and an actuatable transducer disposed within or upon the housing and in vibratory communication with a surface of the at least one tooth.
- In fabricating or manufacturing such an oral appliance, the appliance may generally conform closely to the patient's dentition such that intimate contact between the transducer and the surface Of the at least one tooth is securely maintained. Despite the secure contact, patient comfort is ideally maintained as well. Accordingly, one method for fabricating the oral appliance may generally comprise scanning at least the portion of the dentition such that a corresponding three-dimensional image is created, manipulating the image such that the housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly is positioned along a side surface of the dentition, and forming the oral appliance having the housing portion from the image whereby the oral appliance is conformable to the portion of dentition.
- Another method for fabricating the oral appliance may generally comprise adhering the housing along the side surface of thee portion of dentition, scanning at least the portion of the dentition having the housing such that a corresponding three-dimensional image is created, and forming the oral appliance having the housing portion from the image whereby the oral appliance is conformable to the portion of dentition.
- Yet another method for fabricating the oral appliance may generally comprise providing a dental tray sized to cover at least the portion of the patient's dentition, wherein the dental tray defines the housing, filling a channel defined along the dental tray with a settable polymer, placing at least the portion of the patient's dentition within the channel such that the polymer conforms to a shape of the dentition until the polymer hardens, and removing the dental tray from the hardened polymer.
- The oral appliance can be used in a variety of applications, including hearing aid applications. The appliance can also be used in general sound transmission for medical and communication applications such, as treating tinnitus, treating stuttering problem. The appliance can communicate through cellular and Bluetooth to provide one-way or two-way communications, among others. The appliance can also be used to store personally identifiable medical information for certain military or medical identification purposes.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates the dentition of a patient's teeth and one variation of a hearing aid device which is removably placed upon or against the patient's tooth or teeth as a removable oral appliance; -
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the lower teeth showing one exemplary location for placement of the removable oral appliance hearing aid device, -
FIG. 2B illustrates another variation of the removable oral appliance in the form of an appliance which is placed over an entire row of teeth in the manner of a mouthguard. -
FIG. 2C illustrates another variation of the removable oral appliance which is supported by an arch. -
FIG. 2D illustrates another variation of an oral appliance configured as a mouthguard. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a detail perspective view of the oral appliance positioned upon the patient's teeth utilizable in combination with a transmitting assembly external to the mouth and wearable by the patient in another variation of the device. - ,
FIG. 4 shows an illustrative configuration of the individual components in a variation of the oral appliance device having an external transmitting assembly with a receiving and transducer assembly within the mouth. -
FIG. 5 shows an illustrative configuration of another variation of the device in which the entire assembly is contained by the oral appliance within the user's mouth. -
FIGS. 6A to 6D illustrate one method for forming the oral appliance by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance via any number of three-dimensional printing methods. -
FIGS. 7A to 7D illustrate another method for forming the oral appliance by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance via any number of machining methods. -
FIGS. 8A to 8D illustrate another method for forming the oral appliance by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance by creating a physical replica of the dentition for thermal forming. -
FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate yet another method for forming the oral appliance. by scanning a digital image of the dentition, manipulating the digital image, and generating the oral appliance via an injectable mold. -
FIGS. 10A and 10B show another method in which the housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly maybe adhered directly to the patient's tooth or teeth prior to scanning. -
FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate yet another method utilizing the creation of a direct impression of the dentition via a mold. - .
Figs. 11C to 11F illustrate one method for utilizing a mold or model formed from a direct impression of the dentition to thermally form an oral appliance thereupon. -
FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate yet another method utilizing a direct impression of the dentition having a housing adhered thereto. -
FIGS. 12C to 12E illustrate another method for utilizing a mold or model having a housing formed therein created from a direct impression of the dentition to thermally form an oral appliance thereupon. -
FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate yet another method where the impression may have a housing formed therein prior to forming the oral appliance. -
FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate yet another method where the electronics and/or transducer assembly may be integrated with the impression. -
FIG. 15A shows an example of a dental tray having an electronics and/or transducer housing integrated therewith. -
FIGS. 15B to 15D illustrate an example for utilizing the dental tray where a polymer may be conformed to the patient's dentition and hardened to create a conforming oral appliance. - An electronic and transducer device may be attached, adhered or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated through a variety of different process utilizing, e.g., a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by any number of methods, as described below in further detail. The oral appliance may accordingly be created to fit, adhere, or be otherwise disposed upon a portion of the patient's dentition to maintain the electronics and transducer device against the patient's dentition securely and comfortably.
- The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.
- As shown in
FIG. 1 , a patient's mouth anddentition 10 is illustrated showing one possible location for removably attachinghearing aid assembly 14 upon or against at least one tooth, such as amolar 12. The patient's tongue TG and palate PL are also illustrated for reference. An electronics and/ortransducer assembly 16 may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon theassembly 14, as described below in further detail. -
FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the patient's lower dentition. illustrating thehearing aid assembly 14 comprising a removableoral appliance 18 and the electronics and/ortransducer assembly 16 positioned along a side surface of theassembly 14. In this variation,oral appliance 18 may be fitted upon twomolars 12 withintooth engaging channel 20 defined byoral appliance 18 for st ability upon the patient's teeth, although in other variations, a single molar or tooth may be utilized. Alternatively, more than two molars may be utilized for theoral appliance 18 to be attached upon or over. Moreover, electronics and/ortransducer assembly 16 is shown positioned upon a side surface oforal appliance 18 such that theassembly 16 is aligned along a buccal surface of thetooth 12; however, other surfaces such as the lingual surface of thetooth 12 and other positions may also be utilized. The figures are illustrative of variations and are not intended to be limiting; accordingly, other configurations and shapes fororal appliance 18 are intended to be included herein. -
FIG. 2B shows another variation of a removable oral appliance in the form of anappliance 15. which is placed over an entire row of teeth in the manner of a mouthguard. In this variation,appliance 15 may be configured to cover an entire bottom row of teeth or alternatively an entire upper row of teeth. In additional variations, rather than covering the entire rows of teeth, a majority of the row of teeth may be instead be covered byappliance 15.Assembly 16 may be positioned along one or more portions of theoral appliance 15. -
FIG. 2C shows yet another variation of anoral appliance 17 having an arched configuration. In this appliance, one or moretooth retaining portions transducer assembly 16 may be positioned along one or more portions of the tooth. retainingportions -
FIG. 2D illustrates yet another variation of an oral appliance in the form of a mouthguard orretainer 25 which may be inserted and removed easily from the user's mouth. Such a mouthguard orretainer 25 may be used in sports where conventional mouthguards are worn; however, mouthguard orretainer 25 havingassembly 16 integrated therein may be utilized by persons, hearing impaired or otherwise, who may simply hold the mouthguard orretainer 25 via grooves orchannels 26 between their teeth for receiving instructions remotely and communicating over a distance. - Generally, the volume of electronics and/or
transducer assembly 16 may be minimized so as to be unobtrusive and as comfortable to the user when placed in the mouth. Although the size may be varied, a volume ofassembly 16 may be less than 800 cubic millimeters. This volume is, of course, illustrative and not limiting as size and volume ofassembly 16 and may be varied accordingly between different users. - In one variation, with
assembly 14 positioned upon the teeth, as shown inFIG. 3 , anextra-buccal transmitter assembly 22 located outside the patient's mouth may be utilized to receive auditory signals for processing and transmission via awireless signal 24. to the electronics and/ortransducer assembly 16 positioned within the patient's mouth, which may then process and transmit the processed auditory signals via vibratory conductance to the underlying tooth and consequently to the patient's inner ear. - The
transmitter assembly 22, as described in further detail below, may contain a microphone assembly as welt as a transmitter assembly and may be configured in any number of shapes and forms worn by the user, such as a watch, necklace, lapel, phone, belt-mounted device, etc. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of one variation of hearingaid assembly 14 utilizing anextra-buccal transmitter assembly 22, which may generally comprise ,microphone 30 for receiving sounds and which is electrically connected toprocessor 32 for processing the auditory signals.Processor 32 may be connected electrically totransmitter 34 for transmitting the processed signals to the electronics and/ortransducer assembly 16 disposed upon or adjacent to the user's teeth. Themicrophone 30 andprocessor 32 may be configured to detect and process auditory signals in any practicable range, but may be configured in one variation to detect auditory signals ranging from, e.g., 250 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz. - With respect to
microphone 30, a variety of various microphone systems may be utilized. For instance,microphone 30 may be a digital, analog, and/or directional type microphone. Such various types of microphones may be interchangeably configured to be utilized with the assembly, if so desired. -
Power supply 36 may be connected to each of the components intransmitter assembly 22 to provide power thereto. The transmitter signals 24 may be in any wireless form utilizing, e.g., radio frequency, ultrasound, microwave, Blue Tooth® (BLUETOOTH SIG, INC., Bellevue, Wash.), etc. for transmission toassembly 16.Assembly 22, may also optionally include one or more input controls 28 that a user may manipulate to adjust various acoustic parameters of the electronics and/ortransducer assembly 16, such as acoustic focusing, volume control, filtration, muting, frequency optimization, sound adjustments, and tone adjustments, etc. - The signals transmitted 24 by
transmitter 34 may be received by electronics and/ortransducer assembly 16 viareceiver 38, which may be connected to an internal processor for additional processing of the received signals. The received signals may be communicated totransducer 40, which may vibrate correspondingly against a surface of the tooth to conduct the vibratory signals through the tooth and bone and subsequently to the middle ear to facilitate hearing of the user.Transducer 40 may be, configured as any number of different vibratory mechanisms. For instance, in one variation,transducer 40 may be an electromagnetically actuated transducer. In other variations,transducer 40 may be in the form of a piezoelectric crystal having a range of vibratory frequencies, e.g., between 250 to 4000 kHz. -
Power supply 42 may also be included withassembly 16 to provide power to the receiver, transducer, and/or processor, if also included. Althoughpower supply 42 may be a simple battery, replaceable or permanent, other variations may include apower supply 42 which is charged by inductance via an external charger. Additionally,power supply 42 may alternatively be charged via direct coupling to an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) source. Other variations may include apower supply 42 which is charged via a mechanical mechanism, such as an internal pendulum or slidable electrical inductance charger as known in the art, which is actuated via, e.g., motions of the jaw and/or movement for translating the mechanical motion into stored electrical energy for chargingpower supply 42. - In another variation of
assembly 16, rather than utilizing an extra-buccal transmitter, hearingaid assembly 50 may be configured as an independent assembly contained entirely within the user's mouth as shown inFIG. 5 . Accordingly,assembly 50 may include aninternal microphone 52 in communication with an on-board processor 54.Internal microphone 52 may comprise any number of different types of microphones, as described above.Processor 54 nay be used to process any received auditory signals for filtering and/or amplifying the signals and transmitting them totransducer 56, which is in vibratory contact against the tooth surface.Power supply 58, as described above, may also be included withinassembly 50 for providing power to each of the components ofassembly 50 as necessary. - The removable
oral appliance 18 may be fabricated from various polymeric or a combination of polymeric and metallic materials using any variety of methods. For instance, in one variation of fabricating an oral appliance, a three-dimensional digital scanner may be used to image the dentition of the patient, particularly the tooth or teeth TH upon or about which the oral appliance is to be positioned. The scanned image may be processed via a computer to create a three-dimensional virtual ordigital model 60 of the tooth or teeth TH, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B . - Various three-dimensional scanning modalities may be utilized to create the three-dimensional
digital model 60. For instance, intra-oral cameras or scanners using, e.g., laser, white light, ultrasound, mechanical three-dimensional touch scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), other optical methods, etc., may be utilized. - Once the three-dimensional image has been captured, the image may then be manipulated via conventional software to create a direct three-dimensional print of the model. Alternatively, the image may be used to directly machine the model. Systems such as computer numerical control (CNC) systems or thee-dimensional printing processes, e.g., stereolithography apparatus (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and/or other similar processes utilizing three-dimensional geometry of the patient's dentition may be utilized.
- In another alternative, a mold may be generated from the print to then allow for thermal forming of the appliance directly upon the created mold. And yet in other variations, the three-dimensional image may be used to create an injection mold for creating the appliance. Each of these processes are described in further detail below.
- Once the scanned image has been processed to create a three-dimensional virtual or
digital model 60 of the tooth or teeth TH, thehousing 62 for the electronics/transducer assembly may be digitally imposed or created in thedigital model 60. Alternatively, a physical model of the housing may be positioned upon the appropriate tooth or teeth TH and the dentition with the housing may be scanned to create thedigital model 60. - In either case, the resulting
digital model 60 may be utilized to create a three-dimensional virtual or digital model of theappliance 64 having thehousing 62 integrated therewith, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view inFIG. 6C . The digital model of theappliance 64 may then be used to print or create the physicaloral appliance 66, as shown inFIG. 6D . Accordingly, anoral appliance 66 which conforms to the patient's dentition may be formed to ensure secure contact upon or against the dentition while maintaining comfort to the user. - In another alternative method, once the three-dimensional model of the
appliance 64 has been created, as shown inFIGS. 7A to 7C,oral appliance 68 may be machined directly, e.g., utilizing computer numerical control machining, from polymeric materials to create theappliance 68, as shown inFIG. 7D . - In yet another alternative, once the appropriate tooth or teeth TH has been three-dimensionally scanned and the
housing 62 has been included, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B , a physical model of thedentition 70 may be created utilizing any of the processes above, such as three-dimensional printing, machining, etc, as shown inFIG. 8C . With the model of the dentition 7O,oral appliance 72 may be thermal formed or otherwise molded aboutdentition 70 to create oral appliance which conforms securely and comfortably to the patient's dentition, as shown inFIG. 8D . - Another alternative is illustrated where once the three-dimensional virtual or
digital model 60 has been created from the patient's dentition, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B , an formingmold 74 may be fabricated having anouter mold portion 76 and aninner mold portion 78 which forms a cavity or void 80 therebetween, as shown inFIG. 9C . The cavity or void 80 may be entirely filled with a settable polymer which when cured formsoral appliance 82, as shown inFIG. 9D , which may be removed from themold portions appliance 82 which conforms securely and comfortably to the patient's dentition. - As mentioned above, although the housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly maybe digitally created on the three-dimensional digital model generated from the patient's scanned dentition, a
housing replica 84 may alternatively be adhered temporarily to a patient's tooth or teeth TH prior to scanning, the dentition, as shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B . In this manner, the three-dimensional scanner may create the digital image having thehousing replica 84 already included. - Aside from digital imaging and scanning of a patient's dentition, an alternative mechanism for creating a conformable oral appliance may utilize impression molding of the appropriate dentition. One example is shown in
FIGS. 11A and 11B where animpression 92 of patient's dentition may be formed by utilizing amold 90 filled with a suitable impression material, e.g., alginate, plaster, polyvinylsiloxane, polyurethane, polyacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate, and blends or combinations thereof, etc. - An impression of the dentition may also be formed after a replica of
housing mold 84 has been affixed temporarily to the tooth or teeth TH, as shown inFIG. 12A , prior to forming animpression 94 having the housing formed therein, as shown inFIG. 12B . - In either case, once the
impression mold 90 may be filled with a plaster to create a permanent, three-dimensional mold or model of the appropriate dentition, which may then be used to thermally form an oral appliance or which may be scanned digitally to utilize any of the forming or machining processes, as described above. Alternatively, theimpression - As illustrated in
FIGS. 11C to 11F,mold 90 havingimpression 92 formed therein may be used to form the three-dimensional mold ormodel 95, as mentioned above and as shown inFIG. 11D . In the case of mold ormodel 95, an electronics and/ortransducer housing 97 may be attached or adhered to the mold ormodel 95, as shown inFIG. 11E , and theoral appliance 98 may then be thermal formed directly thereupon resulting in theoral appliance 98 appropriately formed having a housing, as shown inFIG. 11F . - Likewise, if
mold 90 has animpression 94 already having a housing formed therein, as shown inFIG. 12C , a mold ormodel 99 may be formed, e.g., from plaster, resulting in a three-dimensional mold ormodel 99, as shown inFIG. 12D . Theoral appliance 98 may then be thermal formed directly, over the mold ormodel 99, to result in theappliance 98 ofFIG. 12E . - In the case of utilizing the
mold 90 to create a physical mold or model, the resulting, mold or model may alternatively be scanned to create a digital image of the dentition, as described above, rather than thermal forming directly upon the mold or model. - In another variation, the
mold 90 having animpression 92 formed therein may have an electronics and/ortransducer assembly 96 impressed into themold 90, as shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B . With theassembly 96 desirably positioned, the mold material may be cured, or otherwise activated to harden, after whichoral appliance 98 may be machined or formed therefrom resulting in anappliance 98 which conforms with the user's dentition, as shown inFIG. 13C . - Likewise, once an
impression 94 has been formed with the housing mold included, as shown inFIG. 14A , electronics and/ortransducer assembly 96 may be positioned within the appropriate mold location, as shown inFIG. 14B , and themold 90 may be cured or otherwise activated to harden. From thishardened mold 90,oral appliance 98 may likewise be formed via machining or forming while having theassembly 96 contained therein, as shown inFIG. 14C . - In yet another variation for forming or fabricating a conforming oral appliance, a
dental tray 100 having achannel 102 for the user's dentition may be provided having an electronics and/ortransducer housing 104 pre-formed along a lingual or buccal orientation of thedental tray 100. The example ofFIG. 15A illustrates a fulldental tray 100 havinghousing 104 located along a buccal surface of thetray 100, although partial trays may alternatively be utilized and other locations forhousing 104 may also be implemented. An electronics and/ortransducer assembly 106 may be pre-positioned, withinhousing 104 while held via one or moretemporary spacers 108, as shown in the partial cross-sectional view ofFIG. 15B . - To form the oral appliance,
tray 100 may be filled with any of the settable orcurable materials 112 described above or may comprise a moisture-activated hydrogel utilizing, e.g., adispenser 110, until thematerials 112 fill any spaces or voids aroundassembly 106 to encapsulateassembly 106. The user may then place thetray 100 upon the appropriate portion of the dentition until the tooth or teeth TH is positioned sufficiently withintray 100, as shown inFIG. 15C . Thetray 100 may be maintained upon the tooth or teeth TH until thematerial 112 has set and hardened. Thetray 100 with the conforming impression may then be removed from the patient's mouth and the resultingoral appliance 114 andassembly 106 may be removed fromtray 100 and trimmed or machined as appropriate, as shown inFIG. 15D . Alternatively,oral appliance 114 may be formed about the patient's dentition withoutassembly 106, which may be integrated, attached, or otherwise affixed, e.g., via adhesives, afteroral appliance 114 has been formed. - In yet another alternative, tray 190 may comprise a preformed tray made from, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate .or polyethylene material, which may be heated or boiled to activate the
tray 100. Once activated, the user may bite intotray 100 to at least partially mold or conformtray 100 to the user's dentition.Assembly 106 may be included or integrated after thetray 100 has been conformed. - In one exemplary embodiment to fabricate an oral appliance, the system first fabricates a scaffold of an oral appliance, using a rapid prototyping system called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). The scaffold is subsequently immersed into a resin to strengthen the scaffold. Excess, resin and support material is then trimmed from the scaffold to arrive at a finished device.
- FDM is one way to generate the oral appliance. In FDM, a plastic filament is unwound from, a coil and supplies material to an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle is heated to melt the plastic and has a mechanism which allows the flow of the melted plastic to be controlled. The nozzle is mounted to a mechanical stage which can be moved three-dimensionally. As the nozzle is moved over the required geometry, it deposits a thin bead of extruded plastic to form each layer. The plastic hardens immediately after being squirted from the nozzle and bonds to the layer below. The entire system is contained within an oven chamber which is held at a temperature just below the melting point of the plastic. Thus, only a small amount of additional thermal energy needs to be supplied by the extrusion nozzle to cause the plastic to melt. This provides much better control of the process. Several materials are available for the process including a nylon-like polymer and both machinable and investment casting waxes. ABS plastic material can be used to provide high layer to layer bonding. Water-soluble support materials can be used and subsequently removed by washing them away. FDM machines are available from Stratasys, among others.
- In another embodiment, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) can be used. The process is similar to the SLA process. In SLS, a laser beam is traced over the surface of a tightly compacted powder made of thermoplastic material. The powder is spread by a roller over the surface of a build cylinder. A piston moves down one object layer thickness to accommodate the layer of powder. The piston moves upward incrementally to supply powder for the process. Heat from the laser melts the powder where it strikes under guidance of the scanner system. The laser used provides a concentrated infrared heating beam. The entire fabrication chamber is sealed and maintained at a temperature just below the melting point of the plastic powder. Thus, heat from the laser need only elevate the temperature slightly to cause sintering, greatly speeding the process. After the object is fully formed, the piston is raised to elevate the object. Excess powder is simply brushed away and final manual finishing may be carried out.
- In yet another embodiment, a 3D printer using inkjet head can be used. In this embodiment, the method is very reminiscent of selective laser sintering, except that the laser is replaced by an inkjet head. The multi-channel jetting head deposits a liquid adhesive compound onto the top layer of a bed of powder object material. The particles of the powder become bonded in the areas where the adhesive is deposited. Once a layer is completed the piston moves down by the thickness of a layer. As in selective laser sintering, the powder supply system (E) is similar in function to the build cylinder. In this case the piston moves upward incrementally to supply powder for the process and the roller (D) spreads and compresses the powder on the top of the build cylinder. The process is repeated until the entire object is completed within the powder bed. Exemplary machines are available from Z Corp. which uses the process to create models out of starch, plaster and other types of powders.
- In other embodiment, Thermal Phase Change inkjets can be used for ballistic particle manufacturing (BPM). The phase change inkjet technologies rely on squirting a build material in a liquid or melted state which cools or otherwise hardens to form a solid on impact. Exemplary systems from 3D Systems include the ThermoJet Modeler which utilizes several hundred nozzles. In a Solidscape machine uses plastic object and wax and support materials which are held in a melted liquid state at elevated temperature in reservoirs. The liquids are fed to individual jetting heads through thermally insulated tubing. The jetting heads squirt tiny droplets of the materials as they are moved side to side in the required geometry to form the layer of the object. The heads are controlled and only place droplets where they are required to. The materials harden by rapidly dropping in temperature as they are deposited. After an entire layer of the object is formed by jetting, a milling head is passed over the layer to make it a uniform thickness. Particles are vacuumed away as the milling head cuts and are captured in a filter. After the object is completed, the wax support material is either melted or dissolved away.
- Another process called Photopolymer Phase Change Inkjets process is based on photopolymers, but uses a wide area inkjet head to layerwise deposit both build and support materials. It subsequently completely cures each, layer after it is deposited with a UV flood lamp mounted on the printhead. The support material, which is also a photopolymer, is removed by washing it away with pressurized water in a secondary operation.
- In another embodiment, in lieu of the scaffold, a blank can be used in making a direct-formed mouthguard. The blank includes a material conformable to a contours of a user's intra-oral structures at a predetermined temperature range when the blank is subjected to bite pressure and an electronic and/or transducer assembly mounted on the material to couple to at least a portion of a patient's dentition. The transducer and/or electronics, can be inserted into the material before or after the blank is subjected to bite pressure.
- The blank provides a direct-formed thermoplastic mouthguard in which a stock plastic mouthguard is softened in hot water, placed in the users mouth and formed by the application of bite pressure, or a ready-made stock mouthguard used without the need for any fitting. The blank can be low in cost and thus can be sold at retail outlets.
- In one implementation, the blank can be an inner layer of settable thermoplastic material conformable to the contours of the user's intra-oral structures at a predetermined temperature range when said blank is subjected to bite pressure; a core layer of rigid, force-transmitting thermoplastic material disposed adjacent to and coextensively with the inner layer and having a softening temperature higher than the pre-determined, temperature range. The core layer is conformable to the general shape of the user's upper or lower row of teeth at said softening temperature to adjust the overall fit of the blank. An outer layer of settable, shock-absorbing thermoplastic material is disposed adjacent to and coextensively with the core layer. The outer layer is conformable to the contours of a user's intra-oral structures at a predetermined temperature range when the blank is subjected to bite pressure. The electronics and/or the transducer can be placed inside the blank prior to use.
- The applications of the devices and methods discussed above are not limited to the treatment of hearing loss but may include any number of further treatment applications. Moreover, such devices and methods may be applied to other treatment sites within the body. Modification of the above-described assemblies and methods for carrying out the invention, combinations between different variations as practicable, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
Claims (39)
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/841,477 US8291912B2 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2007-08-20 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
US12/365,676 US20120235632A9 (en) | 2007-08-20 | 2009-02-04 | Intra-oral charging systems and methods |
US13/615,265 US20130006043A1 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2012-09-13 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
US13/951,945 US20130306230A1 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2013-07-26 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US82316006P | 2006-08-22 | 2006-08-22 | |
US11/841,477 US8291912B2 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2007-08-20 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/365,676 Continuation-In-Part US20120235632A9 (en) | 2007-08-20 | 2009-02-04 | Intra-oral charging systems and methods |
US13/615,265 Continuation US20130006043A1 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2012-09-13 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080070181A1 true US20080070181A1 (en) | 2008-03-20 |
US8291912B2 US8291912B2 (en) | 2012-10-23 |
Family
ID=39107608
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/841,477 Active 2031-06-27 US8291912B2 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2007-08-20 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
US13/615,265 Abandoned US20130006043A1 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2012-09-13 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
US13/951,945 Abandoned US20130306230A1 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2013-07-26 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
Family Applications After (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/615,265 Abandoned US20130006043A1 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2012-09-13 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
US13/951,945 Abandoned US20130306230A1 (en) | 2006-08-22 | 2013-07-26 | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US8291912B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2055142A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5331692B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007286786B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2661346A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008024794A2 (en) |
Cited By (50)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070280495A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-06 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US20080064993A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2008-03-13 | Sonitus Medical Inc. | Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus |
US20080153067A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2008-06-26 | Biomet 3I, Inc. | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US20080286722A1 (en) * | 2007-05-18 | 2008-11-20 | Biomet 3I, Inc. | Method for selecting implant components |
US20080304677A1 (en) * | 2007-06-08 | 2008-12-11 | Sonitus Medical Inc. | System and method for noise cancellation with motion tracking capability |
US20090028352A1 (en) * | 2007-07-24 | 2009-01-29 | Petroff Michael L | Signal process for the derivation of improved dtm dynamic tinnitus mitigation sound |
US20090052698A1 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2009-02-26 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Bone conduction hearing device with open-ear microphone |
US20090105523A1 (en) * | 2007-10-18 | 2009-04-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods for compliance monitoring |
US20090130630A1 (en) * | 2007-11-16 | 2009-05-21 | Suttin Zachary B | Components for Use with a Surgical Guide for Dental Implant Placement |
US20090149722A1 (en) * | 2007-12-07 | 2009-06-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide two-way communications |
US20090208031A1 (en) * | 2008-02-15 | 2009-08-20 | Amir Abolfathi | Headset systems and methods |
US20090226020A1 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2009-09-10 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
US20090270673A1 (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2009-10-29 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and systems for tinnitus treatment |
US20090268932A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-10-29 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Microphone placement for oral applications |
WO2010005913A1 (en) | 2008-07-08 | 2010-01-14 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Custom fitted intra-oral appliances |
US7682303B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2010-03-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20100075273A1 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2010-03-25 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Dental impression tray for use in obtaining an impression of a dental structure |
US20100098270A1 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2010-04-22 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication, positioning and monitoring of user status |
US20100106275A1 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2010-04-29 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Method and apparatus for obtaining data for a dental component and a physical dental model |
US20100194333A1 (en) * | 2007-08-20 | 2010-08-05 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Intra-oral charging systems and methods |
US20100290647A1 (en) * | 2007-08-27 | 2010-11-18 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Headset systems and methods |
US20110129792A1 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2011-06-02 | Berckmans Iii Bruce | Method of creating an accurate bone and soft-tissue digital dental model |
US7974845B2 (en) | 2008-02-15 | 2011-07-05 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Stuttering treatment methods and apparatus |
US20110183289A1 (en) * | 2005-06-30 | 2011-07-28 | Implant Innovations, Inc. | Method For Manufacting Dental Implant Components |
US8023676B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2011-09-20 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication and monitoring of user status |
EP2389775A1 (en) * | 2009-01-20 | 2011-11-30 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
US8221121B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2012-07-17 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
WO2013107500A1 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2013-07-25 | Phonak Ag | Method of manufacturing a hearing aid component |
US20140329192A1 (en) * | 2013-03-02 | 2014-11-06 | Lucie R. Kaskoun | Electronically Enabled Removable Dental Device |
US8882508B2 (en) | 2010-12-07 | 2014-11-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Universal scanning member for use on dental implant and dental implant analogs |
US8908891B2 (en) | 2011-03-09 | 2014-12-09 | Audiodontics, Llc | Hearing aid apparatus and method |
US8926328B2 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2015-01-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Jigs for placing dental implant analogs in models and methods of doing the same |
US8944818B2 (en) | 2011-05-16 | 2015-02-03 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features |
US9089382B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2015-07-28 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method and apparatus for recording spatial gingival soft tissue relationship to implant placement within alveolar bone for immediate-implant placement |
US9262864B2 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2016-02-16 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Synchronized views of video data and three-dimensional model data |
US9452032B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2016-09-27 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Soft tissue preservation temporary (shell) immediate-implant abutment with biological active surface |
CN106420149A (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2017-02-22 | 天津健康家园科技有限公司 | Electronic stutter corrector |
CN106618841A (en) * | 2016-11-29 | 2017-05-10 | 天津健康家园科技有限公司 | Buccal type stutter corrector |
US9668834B2 (en) | 2013-12-20 | 2017-06-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Dental system for developing custom prostheses through scanning of coded members |
US9700390B2 (en) | 2014-08-22 | 2017-07-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Soft-tissue preservation arrangement and method |
US20180264750A1 (en) * | 2017-03-15 | 2018-09-20 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Temperature regulation to improve additive 3d printing function |
WO2018183511A3 (en) * | 2017-03-28 | 2018-11-29 | Scientific Intake Limited Co. | Methods of producing removable oral devices |
US10449018B2 (en) | 2015-03-09 | 2019-10-22 | Stephen J. Chu | Gingival ovate pontic and methods of using the same |
US10484805B2 (en) | 2009-10-02 | 2019-11-19 | Soundmed, Llc | Intraoral appliance for sound transmission via bone conduction |
US10764677B2 (en) | 2017-09-12 | 2020-09-01 | Sonitus Technologies, Inc. | Two-way communication system and method of use |
US10813729B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2020-10-27 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary dental prosthesis for use in developing final dental prosthesis |
US11219511B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2022-01-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
CN114789526A (en) * | 2021-01-26 | 2022-07-26 | 无锡时代天使医疗器械科技有限公司 | Method for manufacturing shell-shaped dental instrument |
US20220240857A1 (en) * | 2021-02-03 | 2022-08-04 | Ivoclar Vivadent Ag | Dental Sensor System For Mounting A Dental Sensor |
CN116749522A (en) * | 2023-06-29 | 2023-09-15 | 合肥卓越义齿制作有限公司 | 3D printing system and method for orthodontic correction tool |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8291912B2 (en) * | 2006-08-22 | 2012-10-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
CH702426A1 (en) * | 2009-12-24 | 2011-06-30 | Matthias Weiss-Lang | Dental prosthesis and/or dental cap assembly for use as information carrier and/or antenna assembly, has electronic antenna functioning unit provided in under-tongue-miniature integrated circuit for medical data transmission |
JP5291264B1 (en) * | 2013-04-23 | 2013-09-18 | 隆彌 渡邊 | Ingrown nail correction device |
CN109789330A (en) | 2016-03-30 | 2019-05-21 | P3竞技股份有限公司 | Air flue and oxygen promote the increasing material printing of bite |
AU2017330515A1 (en) | 2016-09-22 | 2019-05-16 | Integrated Tactical Technologies, Llc | Two-way communication system and method of use |
WO2018183514A2 (en) * | 2017-03-28 | 2018-10-04 | Scientific Intake Limited Co. | Systems including removable oral devices |
Citations (94)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2045404A (en) * | 1933-05-24 | 1936-06-23 | Sonotone Corp | Piezoelectric vibrator device |
US2161169A (en) * | 1938-01-24 | 1939-06-06 | Erwin H Wilson | Dentiphone |
US2318872A (en) * | 1941-07-17 | 1943-05-11 | Goodman Mfg Co | Extensible conveyer |
US2977425A (en) * | 1959-09-14 | 1961-03-28 | Irwin H Cole | Hearing aid |
US3170993A (en) * | 1962-01-08 | 1965-02-23 | Henry K Puharich | Means for aiding hearing by electrical stimulation of the facial nerve system |
US3325743A (en) * | 1965-12-23 | 1967-06-13 | Zenith Radio Corp | Bimorph flexural acoustic amplifier |
US3787641A (en) * | 1972-06-05 | 1974-01-22 | Setcom Corp | Bone conduction microphone assembly |
US3894196A (en) * | 1974-05-28 | 1975-07-08 | Zenith Radio Corp | Binaural hearing aid system |
US4025732A (en) * | 1975-08-04 | 1977-05-24 | Hartmut Traunmuller | Method and device for presenting information to deaf persons |
US4150262A (en) * | 1974-11-18 | 1979-04-17 | Hiroshi Ono | Piezoelectric bone conductive in ear voice sounds transmitting and receiving apparatus |
US4498461A (en) * | 1981-12-01 | 1985-02-12 | Bo Hakansson | Coupling to a bone-anchored hearing aid |
US4591668A (en) * | 1984-05-08 | 1986-05-27 | Iwata Electric Co., Ltd. | Vibration-detecting type microphone |
US4642769A (en) * | 1983-06-10 | 1987-02-10 | Wright State University | Method and apparatus for providing stimulated exercise of paralyzed limbs |
US4738268A (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1988-04-19 | Tokos Medical Corporation | Relative time clock |
US4817044A (en) * | 1987-06-01 | 1989-03-28 | Ogren David A | Collection and reporting system for medical appliances |
US4832033A (en) * | 1985-04-29 | 1989-05-23 | Bio-Medical Research Limited | Electrical stimulation of muscle |
US4920984A (en) * | 1986-10-15 | 1990-05-01 | Sunstar Kabushiki Kaisha | Mouthpiece and method for producing the same |
US4982434A (en) * | 1989-05-30 | 1991-01-01 | Center For Innovative Technology | Supersonic bone conduction hearing aid and method |
US5012520A (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1991-04-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Hearing aid with wireless remote control |
US5033999A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1991-07-23 | Mersky Barry L | Method and apparatus for endodontically augmenting hearing |
US5082007A (en) * | 1990-01-24 | 1992-01-21 | Loren S. Adell | Multi-laminar mouthguards |
US5323468A (en) * | 1992-06-30 | 1994-06-21 | Bottesch H Werner | Bone-conductive stereo headphones |
US5325436A (en) * | 1993-06-30 | 1994-06-28 | House Ear Institute | Method of signal processing for maintaining directional hearing with hearing aids |
US5402496A (en) * | 1992-07-13 | 1995-03-28 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Auditory prosthesis, noise suppression apparatus and feedback suppression apparatus having focused adaptive filtering |
US5403262A (en) * | 1993-03-09 | 1995-04-04 | Microtek Medical, Inc. | Minimum energy tinnitus masker |
US5616027A (en) * | 1995-04-18 | 1997-04-01 | Jacobs; Allison J. | Custom dental tray |
US5624376A (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 1997-04-29 | Symphonix Devices, Inc. | Implantable and external hearing systems having a floating mass transducer |
US5706251A (en) * | 1995-07-21 | 1998-01-06 | Trigger Scuba, Inc. | Scuba diving voice and communication system using bone conducted sound |
US5760692A (en) * | 1996-10-18 | 1998-06-02 | Block; Douglas A. | Intra-oral tracking device |
US5902167A (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 1999-05-11 | Sonic Bites, Llc | Sound-transmitting amusement device and method |
US5914701A (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1999-06-22 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Non-contact system for sensing and signalling by externally induced intra-body currents |
US6029558A (en) * | 1997-05-12 | 2000-02-29 | Southwest Research Institute | Reactive personnel protection system |
US6047074A (en) * | 1996-07-09 | 2000-04-04 | Zoels; Fred | Programmable hearing aid operable in a mode for tinnitus therapy |
US6068590A (en) * | 1997-10-24 | 2000-05-30 | Hearing Innovations, Inc. | Device for diagnosing and treating hearing disorders |
US6072884A (en) * | 1997-11-18 | 2000-06-06 | Audiologic Hearing Systems Lp | Feedback cancellation apparatus and methods |
US6072885A (en) * | 1994-07-08 | 2000-06-06 | Sonic Innovations, Inc. | Hearing aid device incorporating signal processing techniques |
US6075557A (en) * | 1997-04-17 | 2000-06-13 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Image tracking system and method and observer tracking autostereoscopic display |
US6171229B1 (en) * | 1996-08-07 | 2001-01-09 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Ossicular transducer attachment for an implantable hearing device |
US6223018B1 (en) * | 1996-12-12 | 2001-04-24 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Intra-body information transfer device |
US6239705B1 (en) * | 2000-04-19 | 2001-05-29 | Jeffrey Glen | Intra oral electronic tracking device |
US20010003788A1 (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 2001-06-14 | Ball Geoffrey R. | Implantable and external hearing system having a floating mass transducer |
US20020026091A1 (en) * | 2000-08-25 | 2002-02-28 | Hans Leysieffer | Implantable hearing system with means for measuring its coupling quality |
US6377693B1 (en) * | 1994-06-23 | 2002-04-23 | Hearing Innovations Incorporated | Tinnitus masking using ultrasonic signals |
US6394969B1 (en) * | 1998-10-14 | 2002-05-28 | Sound Techniques Systems Llc | Tinnitis masking and suppressor using pulsed ultrasound |
US20020071581A1 (en) * | 2000-03-28 | 2002-06-13 | Hans Leysieffer | Partially or fully implantable hearing system |
US20020077831A1 (en) * | 2000-11-28 | 2002-06-20 | Numa Takayuki | Data input/output method and system without being notified |
US6504942B1 (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 2003-01-07 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Method of and apparatus for detecting a face-like region and observer tracking display |
US6538558B2 (en) * | 1996-09-20 | 2003-03-25 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Communication system |
US20030059078A1 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-03-27 | Downs Edward F. | Directional sensors for head-mounted contact microphones |
US20030091200A1 (en) * | 2001-10-09 | 2003-05-15 | Pompei Frank Joseph | Ultrasonic transducer for parametric array |
US6585637B2 (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 2003-07-01 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Method and apparatus for fixation type feedback reduction in implantable hearing assistance systems |
US6682472B1 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 2004-01-27 | Tinnitech Ltd. | Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method |
US20040057591A1 (en) * | 2002-06-26 | 2004-03-25 | Frank Beck | Directional hearing given binaural hearing aid coverage |
US6754472B1 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2004-06-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for transmitting power and data using the human body |
US20040141624A1 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 2004-07-22 | Neuromonics Limited | Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method |
US20050037312A1 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2005-02-17 | Aso International, Inc | Orthodontic retainer |
US20050067816A1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2005-03-31 | Buckman Robert F. | Method and apparatus for body impact protection |
US20050070782A1 (en) * | 2003-07-17 | 2005-03-31 | Dmitri Brodkin | Digital technologies for planning and carrying out dental restorative procedures |
US6885753B2 (en) * | 2000-01-27 | 2005-04-26 | New Transducers Limited | Communication device using bone conduction |
US20050129257A1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-06-16 | Nec Tokin Corporation | Acoustic vibration generating element |
US6917688B2 (en) * | 2002-09-11 | 2005-07-12 | Nanyang Technological University | Adaptive noise cancelling microphone system |
US6985599B2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2006-01-10 | P&B Research Ab | Vibrator for bone conducted hearing aids |
US20060008106A1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2006-01-12 | Harper Patrick S | System and method for securing headphone transducers |
US20060025648A1 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2006-02-02 | No. 182 Corporate Ventures Ltd. | Surgically implantable hearing aid |
US7003099B1 (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2006-02-21 | Fortmedia, Inc. | Small array microphone for acoustic echo cancellation and noise suppression |
US20060054037A1 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2006-03-16 | Shiny Shih | Stamp die assembly for a self-inking stamping device |
US7035415B2 (en) * | 2000-05-26 | 2006-04-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and device for acoustic echo cancellation combined with adaptive beamforming |
US7074222B2 (en) * | 2000-07-12 | 2006-07-11 | Entific Medical Systems Ab | Anchoring element |
US20060167335A1 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2006-07-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and device for tinnitus therapy |
US7162420B2 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2007-01-09 | Liberato Technologies, Llc | System and method for noise reduction having first and second adaptive filters |
US20070010704A1 (en) * | 2003-10-22 | 2007-01-11 | Dan Pitulia | Anti-stuttering device |
US7171003B1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2007-01-30 | Lear Corporation | Robust and reliable acoustic echo and noise cancellation system for cabin communication |
US7171008B2 (en) * | 2002-02-05 | 2007-01-30 | Mh Acoustics, Llc | Reducing noise in audio systems |
US7174022B1 (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2007-02-06 | Fortemedia, Inc. | Small array microphone for beam-forming and noise suppression |
US20070036370A1 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2007-02-15 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a mobile device |
US20070041595A1 (en) * | 2005-07-07 | 2007-02-22 | Carazo Alfredo V | Bone-conduction hearing-aid transducer having improved frequency response |
US7206423B1 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2007-04-17 | Board Of Trustees Of University Of Illinois | Intrabody communication for a hearing aid |
US20070142072A1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2007-06-21 | Teodoro Lassally | Two way radio |
US20080019542A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2008-01-24 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20080019557A1 (en) * | 2006-07-19 | 2008-01-24 | Bevirt Joeben | Headset with fit adjustments and magnetic accessories |
US20080021327A1 (en) * | 2006-05-12 | 2008-01-24 | Tarek Hessin Ahmed El-Bialy | Ultrasound stimulation devices and techniques |
US7329226B1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2008-02-12 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | System and method for assessing pulmonary performance through transthoracic impedance monitoring |
US7333624B2 (en) * | 2003-09-24 | 2008-02-19 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid device and operating method for automatically switching voltage supply to a connected external device |
US7331349B2 (en) * | 2003-01-23 | 2008-02-19 | Surgical Devices, Ltd., Co. Morningstar Holding Ltd. | Method and device for the prevention of snoring and sleep apnea |
US20080064993A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2008-03-13 | Sonitus Medical Inc. | Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus |
US7361216B2 (en) * | 2004-05-17 | 2008-04-22 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Dental compositions containing nanofillers and related methods |
US20090028352A1 (en) * | 2007-07-24 | 2009-01-29 | Petroff Michael L | Signal process for the derivation of improved dtm dynamic tinnitus mitigation sound |
US7486798B2 (en) * | 2003-04-08 | 2009-02-03 | Mayur Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for tooth bone conduction microphone |
US20090052698A1 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2009-02-26 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Bone conduction hearing device with open-ear microphone |
US7522740B2 (en) * | 2000-01-07 | 2009-04-21 | Etymotic Research, Inc. | Multi-coil coupling system for hearing aid applications |
US7522738B2 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2009-04-21 | Otologics, Llc | Dual feedback control system for implantable hearing instrument |
US20090105523A1 (en) * | 2007-10-18 | 2009-04-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods for compliance monitoring |
US20090147976A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2009-06-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Tinnitus masking systems |
US20090149722A1 (en) * | 2007-12-07 | 2009-06-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide two-way communications |
Family Cites Families (74)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2848811A (en) * | 1956-05-25 | 1958-08-26 | Fur Feinmechanik Vormals Jette | Dental impression tray |
US2995633A (en) | 1958-09-25 | 1961-08-08 | Henry K Puharich | Means for aiding hearing |
US3156787A (en) | 1962-10-23 | 1964-11-10 | Henry K Puharich | Solid state hearing system |
US3267931A (en) | 1963-01-09 | 1966-08-23 | Henry K Puharich | Electrically stimulated hearing with signal feedback |
US3985977A (en) | 1975-04-21 | 1976-10-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Receiver system for receiving audio electrical signals |
JPS5760308Y2 (en) * | 1979-08-08 | 1982-12-22 | ||
US4612915A (en) | 1985-05-23 | 1986-09-23 | Xomed, Inc. | Direct bone conduction hearing aid device |
US4867682A (en) * | 1987-11-13 | 1989-09-19 | Dentsply Research & Development Corp. | Dental impression tray |
US5047994A (en) | 1989-05-30 | 1991-09-10 | Center For Innovative Technology | Supersonic bone conduction hearing aid and method |
US5060526A (en) | 1989-05-30 | 1991-10-29 | Schlumberger Industries, Inc. | Laminated semiconductor sensor with vibrating element |
FR2650948A1 (en) | 1989-08-17 | 1991-02-22 | Issalene Robert | ASSISTANCE DEVICE FOR HEARING BY BONE CONDUCTION |
US5026278A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1991-06-25 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Dental impression tray with flange |
US5487012A (en) * | 1990-12-21 | 1996-01-23 | Topholm & Westermann Aps | Method of preparing an otoplasty or adaptive earpiece individually matched to the shape of an auditory canal |
US5233987A (en) | 1992-07-09 | 1993-08-10 | Empi, Inc. | System and method for monitoring patient's compliance |
US5372142A (en) | 1993-02-17 | 1994-12-13 | Poul Madsen Medical Devices Ltd. | Cochlear response audiometer |
EP0629385B1 (en) * | 1993-06-17 | 1999-01-20 | Nu-Logic Dental Mfg., Inc. | Dental cast tray subassembly |
US5800336A (en) | 1993-07-01 | 1998-09-01 | Symphonix Devices, Inc. | Advanced designs of floating mass transducers |
US5460593A (en) | 1993-08-25 | 1995-10-24 | Audiodontics, Inc. | Method and apparatus for imparting low amplitude vibrations to bone and similar hard tissue |
US5546459A (en) | 1993-11-01 | 1996-08-13 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Variable block size adaptation algorithm for noise-robust acoustic echo cancellation |
US5455842A (en) | 1994-01-12 | 1995-10-03 | Mersky; Barry | Method and apparatus for underwater communication |
JP3397269B2 (en) | 1994-10-26 | 2003-04-14 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Multi-channel echo cancellation method |
SE503791C2 (en) | 1994-12-02 | 1996-09-02 | P & B Res Ab | Hearing aid device |
US5565759A (en) | 1994-12-15 | 1996-10-15 | Intel Corporation | Smart battery providing battery life and recharge time prediction |
US5558618A (en) | 1995-01-23 | 1996-09-24 | Maniglia; Anthony J. | Semi-implantable middle ear hearing device |
US6115477A (en) | 1995-01-23 | 2000-09-05 | Sonic Bites, Llc | Denta-mandibular sound-transmitting system |
US6118882A (en) | 1995-01-25 | 2000-09-12 | Haynes; Philip Ashley | Communication method |
US5828765A (en) | 1996-05-03 | 1998-10-27 | Gable; Tony L. | Audio loudspeaker assembly for recessed lighting fixture and audio system using same |
US5961443A (en) | 1996-07-31 | 1999-10-05 | East Carolina University | Therapeutic device to ameliorate stuttering |
IT1284760B1 (en) | 1996-08-20 | 1998-05-21 | Buratto Advanced Technology S | TRANSMISSION SYSTEM USING THE HUMAN BODY AS A WAVE GUIDE. |
US5984681A (en) | 1997-09-02 | 1999-11-16 | Huang; Barney K. | Dental implant and method of implanting |
JPH11162958A (en) | 1997-09-16 | 1999-06-18 | Tokyo Electron Ltd | Plasma treating device and plasma treating method |
US5812496A (en) | 1997-10-20 | 1998-09-22 | Peck/Pelissier Partnership | Water resistant microphone |
US20010051776A1 (en) | 1998-10-14 | 2001-12-13 | Lenhardt Martin L. | Tinnitus masker/suppressor |
ES2367348T3 (en) * | 1998-11-30 | 2011-11-02 | Align Technology, Inc. | DEVICES AND FIXING PROCEDURES FOR A DENTAL APPLIANCE. |
US6447294B1 (en) * | 1999-12-13 | 2002-09-10 | William Raymond Price | Locator for lost dentures |
US6778674B1 (en) | 1999-12-28 | 2004-08-17 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Hearing assist device with directional detection and sound modification |
US6826284B1 (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2004-11-30 | Agere Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for passive acoustic source localization for video camera steering applications |
US6772026B2 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2004-08-03 | Therics, Inc. | System and method for rapidly customizing design, manufacture and/or selection of biomedical devices |
US6633747B1 (en) | 2000-07-12 | 2003-10-14 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Orthodontic appliance audio receiver |
US7246058B2 (en) | 2001-05-30 | 2007-07-17 | Aliph, Inc. | Detecting voiced and unvoiced speech using both acoustic and nonacoustic sensors |
US6631197B1 (en) | 2000-07-24 | 2003-10-07 | Gn Resound North America Corporation | Wide audio bandwidth transduction method and device |
WO2002030279A1 (en) | 2000-10-10 | 2002-04-18 | Alan Remy Magill | Health monitoring |
US6643378B2 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2003-11-04 | Daniel R. Schumaier | Bone conduction hearing aid |
JP3532537B2 (en) | 2001-07-05 | 2004-05-31 | 株式会社テムコジャパン | Bone conduction headset |
FR2830404B1 (en) | 2001-10-01 | 2004-01-02 | Amphicom Soc | DEVICE FOR LISTENING TO VOICE AND OR MUSIC SIGNALS BY CRANIAL BONE TRANSMISSION |
US6954668B1 (en) | 2001-10-11 | 2005-10-11 | Cuozzo John W | Apparatus and method for intra-oral stimulation of the trigeminal nerve |
US7310427B2 (en) | 2002-08-01 | 2007-12-18 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Recreational bone conduction audio device, system |
US7099822B2 (en) | 2002-12-10 | 2006-08-29 | Liberato Technologies, Inc. | System and method for noise reduction having first and second adaptive filters responsive to a stored vector |
US7269266B2 (en) | 2003-04-08 | 2007-09-11 | Mayur Technologies | Method and apparatus for tooth bone conduction microphone |
US7945064B2 (en) | 2003-04-09 | 2011-05-17 | Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois | Intrabody communication with ultrasound |
SE526548C2 (en) | 2003-05-30 | 2005-10-04 | Entific Medical Systems Ab | Device for implants |
US20040254668A1 (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2004-12-16 | Jang Bor Z. | Macro-porous hydroxyapatite scaffold compositions and freeform fabrication method thereof |
US7077646B2 (en) * | 2003-08-29 | 2006-07-18 | Jack Keith Hilliard | Automated method for producing improved orthodontic aligners |
US7137812B2 (en) * | 2003-10-03 | 2006-11-21 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Apparatus for indirect bonding of orthodontic appliances and method of making the same |
US20050088435A1 (en) * | 2003-10-23 | 2005-04-28 | Z. Jason Geng | Novel 3D ear camera for making custom-fit hearing devices for hearing aids instruments and cell phones |
US8025063B2 (en) | 2004-03-10 | 2011-09-27 | Apneos Corporation | System and method for treatment of upper airway disorders |
BRPI0514159A2 (en) | 2004-08-27 | 2008-11-25 | Victorion Technology Co Ltd | nasal bone conduction wireless communication device, nasal bone conduction wireless communication system, and nasal bone conduction hearing aid |
US7271569B2 (en) | 2004-09-21 | 2007-09-18 | Motorola Inc. | Contact less charger with alignment indicator |
WO2006033104A1 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2006-03-30 | Shalon Ventures Research, Llc | Systems and methods for monitoring and modifying behavior |
US6941952B1 (en) | 2004-12-02 | 2005-09-13 | Rush, Iii Gus A. | Athletic mouthpiece capable of sensing linear and rotational forces and protective headgear for use with the same |
US7258533B2 (en) | 2004-12-30 | 2007-08-21 | Adaptivenergy, Llc | Method and apparatus for scavenging energy during pump operation |
US8280730B2 (en) | 2005-05-25 | 2012-10-02 | Motorola Mobility Llc | Method and apparatus of increasing speech intelligibility in noisy environments |
US7654825B2 (en) | 2005-06-03 | 2010-02-02 | Ray Charles D | Dental vibrator and acoustical unit with method for the inhibition of operative pain |
DE102005032274B4 (en) | 2005-07-11 | 2007-05-10 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing apparatus and corresponding method for eigenvoice detection |
JP4349337B2 (en) | 2005-07-19 | 2009-10-21 | パナソニック株式会社 | Method for manufacturing a hearing aid shell |
JP2007049658A (en) | 2005-08-09 | 2007-02-22 | Nakayo Telecommun Inc | Bone conduction type receiver using piezoelectric vibrator |
JP2007044284A (en) | 2005-08-10 | 2007-02-22 | Oyama Yoshio | Apparatus and method for modulating bone conduction |
JP4594190B2 (en) | 2005-08-12 | 2010-12-08 | Necトーキン株式会社 | Bone conduction speaker |
US8043091B2 (en) * | 2006-02-15 | 2011-10-25 | Voxelogix Corporation | Computer machined dental tooth system and method |
US7539532B2 (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2009-05-26 | Bao Tran | Cuffless blood pressure monitoring appliance |
US7558622B2 (en) | 2006-05-24 | 2009-07-07 | Bao Tran | Mesh network stroke monitoring appliance |
US8291912B2 (en) * | 2006-08-22 | 2012-10-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances |
US20080304677A1 (en) | 2007-06-08 | 2008-12-11 | Sonitus Medical Inc. | System and method for noise cancellation with motion tracking capability |
US7682303B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2010-03-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
-
2007
- 2007-08-20 US US11/841,477 patent/US8291912B2/en active Active
- 2007-08-21 EP EP07814315A patent/EP2055142A4/en not_active Ceased
- 2007-08-21 CA CA002661346A patent/CA2661346A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-08-21 WO PCT/US2007/076447 patent/WO2008024794A2/en active Application Filing
- 2007-08-21 JP JP2009525741A patent/JP5331692B2/en active Active
- 2007-08-21 AU AU2007286786A patent/AU2007286786B2/en active Active
-
2012
- 2012-09-13 US US13/615,265 patent/US20130006043A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2013
- 2013-07-26 US US13/951,945 patent/US20130306230A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (99)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2045404A (en) * | 1933-05-24 | 1936-06-23 | Sonotone Corp | Piezoelectric vibrator device |
US2161169A (en) * | 1938-01-24 | 1939-06-06 | Erwin H Wilson | Dentiphone |
US2318872A (en) * | 1941-07-17 | 1943-05-11 | Goodman Mfg Co | Extensible conveyer |
US2977425A (en) * | 1959-09-14 | 1961-03-28 | Irwin H Cole | Hearing aid |
US3170993A (en) * | 1962-01-08 | 1965-02-23 | Henry K Puharich | Means for aiding hearing by electrical stimulation of the facial nerve system |
US3325743A (en) * | 1965-12-23 | 1967-06-13 | Zenith Radio Corp | Bimorph flexural acoustic amplifier |
US3787641A (en) * | 1972-06-05 | 1974-01-22 | Setcom Corp | Bone conduction microphone assembly |
US3894196A (en) * | 1974-05-28 | 1975-07-08 | Zenith Radio Corp | Binaural hearing aid system |
US4150262A (en) * | 1974-11-18 | 1979-04-17 | Hiroshi Ono | Piezoelectric bone conductive in ear voice sounds transmitting and receiving apparatus |
US4025732A (en) * | 1975-08-04 | 1977-05-24 | Hartmut Traunmuller | Method and device for presenting information to deaf persons |
US4498461A (en) * | 1981-12-01 | 1985-02-12 | Bo Hakansson | Coupling to a bone-anchored hearing aid |
US4642769A (en) * | 1983-06-10 | 1987-02-10 | Wright State University | Method and apparatus for providing stimulated exercise of paralyzed limbs |
US4591668A (en) * | 1984-05-08 | 1986-05-27 | Iwata Electric Co., Ltd. | Vibration-detecting type microphone |
US4832033A (en) * | 1985-04-29 | 1989-05-23 | Bio-Medical Research Limited | Electrical stimulation of muscle |
US4738268A (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1988-04-19 | Tokos Medical Corporation | Relative time clock |
US4920984A (en) * | 1986-10-15 | 1990-05-01 | Sunstar Kabushiki Kaisha | Mouthpiece and method for producing the same |
US4817044A (en) * | 1987-06-01 | 1989-03-28 | Ogren David A | Collection and reporting system for medical appliances |
US5012520A (en) * | 1988-05-06 | 1991-04-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Hearing aid with wireless remote control |
US4982434A (en) * | 1989-05-30 | 1991-01-01 | Center For Innovative Technology | Supersonic bone conduction hearing aid and method |
US5033999A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1991-07-23 | Mersky Barry L | Method and apparatus for endodontically augmenting hearing |
US5082007A (en) * | 1990-01-24 | 1992-01-21 | Loren S. Adell | Multi-laminar mouthguards |
US5323468A (en) * | 1992-06-30 | 1994-06-21 | Bottesch H Werner | Bone-conductive stereo headphones |
US5402496A (en) * | 1992-07-13 | 1995-03-28 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Auditory prosthesis, noise suppression apparatus and feedback suppression apparatus having focused adaptive filtering |
US5403262A (en) * | 1993-03-09 | 1995-04-04 | Microtek Medical, Inc. | Minimum energy tinnitus masker |
US5325436A (en) * | 1993-06-30 | 1994-06-28 | House Ear Institute | Method of signal processing for maintaining directional hearing with hearing aids |
US20010003788A1 (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 2001-06-14 | Ball Geoffrey R. | Implantable and external hearing system having a floating mass transducer |
US5624376A (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 1997-04-29 | Symphonix Devices, Inc. | Implantable and external hearing systems having a floating mass transducer |
US6377693B1 (en) * | 1994-06-23 | 2002-04-23 | Hearing Innovations Incorporated | Tinnitus masking using ultrasonic signals |
US6072885A (en) * | 1994-07-08 | 2000-06-06 | Sonic Innovations, Inc. | Hearing aid device incorporating signal processing techniques |
US5616027A (en) * | 1995-04-18 | 1997-04-01 | Jacobs; Allison J. | Custom dental tray |
US5914701A (en) * | 1995-05-08 | 1999-06-22 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Non-contact system for sensing and signalling by externally induced intra-body currents |
US5706251A (en) * | 1995-07-21 | 1998-01-06 | Trigger Scuba, Inc. | Scuba diving voice and communication system using bone conducted sound |
US6047074A (en) * | 1996-07-09 | 2000-04-04 | Zoels; Fred | Programmable hearing aid operable in a mode for tinnitus therapy |
US6171229B1 (en) * | 1996-08-07 | 2001-01-09 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Ossicular transducer attachment for an implantable hearing device |
US6538558B2 (en) * | 1996-09-20 | 2003-03-25 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Communication system |
US5760692A (en) * | 1996-10-18 | 1998-06-02 | Block; Douglas A. | Intra-oral tracking device |
US6223018B1 (en) * | 1996-12-12 | 2001-04-24 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Intra-body information transfer device |
US6075557A (en) * | 1997-04-17 | 2000-06-13 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Image tracking system and method and observer tracking autostereoscopic display |
US6029558A (en) * | 1997-05-12 | 2000-02-29 | Southwest Research Institute | Reactive personnel protection system |
US5902167A (en) * | 1997-09-09 | 1999-05-11 | Sonic Bites, Llc | Sound-transmitting amusement device and method |
US6068590A (en) * | 1997-10-24 | 2000-05-30 | Hearing Innovations, Inc. | Device for diagnosing and treating hearing disorders |
US6072884A (en) * | 1997-11-18 | 2000-06-06 | Audiologic Hearing Systems Lp | Feedback cancellation apparatus and methods |
US6504942B1 (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 2003-01-07 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Method of and apparatus for detecting a face-like region and observer tracking display |
US6394969B1 (en) * | 1998-10-14 | 2002-05-28 | Sound Techniques Systems Llc | Tinnitis masking and suppressor using pulsed ultrasound |
US6585637B2 (en) * | 1998-10-15 | 2003-07-01 | St. Croix Medical, Inc. | Method and apparatus for fixation type feedback reduction in implantable hearing assistance systems |
US20040141624A1 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 2004-07-22 | Neuromonics Limited | Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method |
US20040131200A1 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 2004-07-08 | Tinnitech Ltd. | Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method |
US7520851B2 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 2009-04-21 | Neurominics Pty Limited | Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method |
US6682472B1 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 2004-01-27 | Tinnitech Ltd. | Tinnitus rehabilitation device and method |
US7522740B2 (en) * | 2000-01-07 | 2009-04-21 | Etymotic Research, Inc. | Multi-coil coupling system for hearing aid applications |
US6885753B2 (en) * | 2000-01-27 | 2005-04-26 | New Transducers Limited | Communication device using bone conduction |
US20020071581A1 (en) * | 2000-03-28 | 2002-06-13 | Hans Leysieffer | Partially or fully implantable hearing system |
US6239705B1 (en) * | 2000-04-19 | 2001-05-29 | Jeffrey Glen | Intra oral electronic tracking device |
US6754472B1 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2004-06-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for transmitting power and data using the human body |
US7206423B1 (en) * | 2000-05-10 | 2007-04-17 | Board Of Trustees Of University Of Illinois | Intrabody communication for a hearing aid |
US7035415B2 (en) * | 2000-05-26 | 2006-04-25 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Method and device for acoustic echo cancellation combined with adaptive beamforming |
US6985599B2 (en) * | 2000-06-02 | 2006-01-10 | P&B Research Ab | Vibrator for bone conducted hearing aids |
US7074222B2 (en) * | 2000-07-12 | 2006-07-11 | Entific Medical Systems Ab | Anchoring element |
US20020026091A1 (en) * | 2000-08-25 | 2002-02-28 | Hans Leysieffer | Implantable hearing system with means for measuring its coupling quality |
US7171003B1 (en) * | 2000-10-19 | 2007-01-30 | Lear Corporation | Robust and reliable acoustic echo and noise cancellation system for cabin communication |
US20020077831A1 (en) * | 2000-11-28 | 2002-06-20 | Numa Takayuki | Data input/output method and system without being notified |
US20030059078A1 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-03-27 | Downs Edward F. | Directional sensors for head-mounted contact microphones |
US20030091200A1 (en) * | 2001-10-09 | 2003-05-15 | Pompei Frank Joseph | Ultrasonic transducer for parametric array |
US7171008B2 (en) * | 2002-02-05 | 2007-01-30 | Mh Acoustics, Llc | Reducing noise in audio systems |
US20040057591A1 (en) * | 2002-06-26 | 2004-03-25 | Frank Beck | Directional hearing given binaural hearing aid coverage |
US6917688B2 (en) * | 2002-09-11 | 2005-07-12 | Nanyang Technological University | Adaptive noise cancelling microphone system |
US7003099B1 (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2006-02-21 | Fortmedia, Inc. | Small array microphone for acoustic echo cancellation and noise suppression |
US7174022B1 (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2007-02-06 | Fortemedia, Inc. | Small array microphone for beam-forming and noise suppression |
US7162420B2 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2007-01-09 | Liberato Technologies, Llc | System and method for noise reduction having first and second adaptive filters |
US20060025648A1 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2006-02-02 | No. 182 Corporate Ventures Ltd. | Surgically implantable hearing aid |
US7033313B2 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2006-04-25 | No. 182 Corporate Ventures Ltd. | Surgically implantable hearing aid |
US20050067816A1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2005-03-31 | Buckman Robert F. | Method and apparatus for body impact protection |
US7331349B2 (en) * | 2003-01-23 | 2008-02-19 | Surgical Devices, Ltd., Co. Morningstar Holding Ltd. | Method and device for the prevention of snoring and sleep apnea |
US7486798B2 (en) * | 2003-04-08 | 2009-02-03 | Mayur Technologies, Inc. | Method and apparatus for tooth bone conduction microphone |
US20050037312A1 (en) * | 2003-06-20 | 2005-02-17 | Aso International, Inc | Orthodontic retainer |
US20050070782A1 (en) * | 2003-07-17 | 2005-03-31 | Dmitri Brodkin | Digital technologies for planning and carrying out dental restorative procedures |
US7333624B2 (en) * | 2003-09-24 | 2008-02-19 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid device and operating method for automatically switching voltage supply to a connected external device |
US20070010704A1 (en) * | 2003-10-22 | 2007-01-11 | Dan Pitulia | Anti-stuttering device |
US20050129257A1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-06-16 | Nec Tokin Corporation | Acoustic vibration generating element |
US7361216B2 (en) * | 2004-05-17 | 2008-04-22 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Dental compositions containing nanofillers and related methods |
US7329226B1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2008-02-12 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | System and method for assessing pulmonary performance through transthoracic impedance monitoring |
US20060008106A1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2006-01-12 | Harper Patrick S | System and method for securing headphone transducers |
US20060054037A1 (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2006-03-16 | Shiny Shih | Stamp die assembly for a self-inking stamping device |
US20070036370A1 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2007-02-15 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for multi-sensory speech enhancement on a mobile device |
US20060167335A1 (en) * | 2005-01-26 | 2006-07-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and device for tinnitus therapy |
US20070041595A1 (en) * | 2005-07-07 | 2007-02-22 | Carazo Alfredo V | Bone-conduction hearing-aid transducer having improved frequency response |
US7522738B2 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2009-04-21 | Otologics, Llc | Dual feedback control system for implantable hearing instrument |
US20070142072A1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2007-06-21 | Teodoro Lassally | Two way radio |
US20080021327A1 (en) * | 2006-05-12 | 2008-01-24 | Tarek Hessin Ahmed El-Bialy | Ultrasound stimulation devices and techniques |
US20080019542A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2008-01-24 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20090097684A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-04-16 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20080019557A1 (en) * | 2006-07-19 | 2008-01-24 | Bevirt Joeben | Headset with fit adjustments and magnetic accessories |
US20080064993A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2008-03-13 | Sonitus Medical Inc. | Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus |
US20090099408A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2009-04-16 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus |
US20090147976A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2009-06-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Tinnitus masking systems |
US20090028352A1 (en) * | 2007-07-24 | 2009-01-29 | Petroff Michael L | Signal process for the derivation of improved dtm dynamic tinnitus mitigation sound |
US20090052698A1 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2009-02-26 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Bone conduction hearing device with open-ear microphone |
US20090105523A1 (en) * | 2007-10-18 | 2009-04-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods for compliance monitoring |
US20090149722A1 (en) * | 2007-12-07 | 2009-06-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide two-way communications |
Cited By (159)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11897201B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2024-02-13 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for manufacturing dental implant components |
US10022916B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2018-07-17 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for manufacturing dental implant components |
US8185224B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2012-05-22 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for manufacturing dental implant components |
US8612037B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2013-12-17 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for manufacturing dental implant components |
US11046006B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2021-06-29 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for manufacturing dental implant components |
US9108361B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2015-08-18 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for manufacturing dental implant components |
US20110183289A1 (en) * | 2005-06-30 | 2011-07-28 | Implant Innovations, Inc. | Method For Manufacting Dental Implant Components |
US8855800B2 (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2014-10-07 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for manufacturing dental implant components |
US11896459B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2024-02-13 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US10307227B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2019-06-04 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US11219511B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2022-01-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US20080153067A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2008-06-26 | Biomet 3I, Inc. | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US8998614B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2015-04-07 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US20110200970A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2011-08-18 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US8690574B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2014-04-08 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US8257083B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2012-09-04 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Methods for placing an implant analog in a physical model of the patient's mouth |
US7724911B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2010-05-25 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20100312568A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2010-12-09 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US10412512B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2019-09-10 | Soundmed, Llc | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US10536789B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2020-01-14 | Soundmed, Llc | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20090268932A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-10-29 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Microphone placement for oral applications |
US10194255B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2019-01-29 | Soundmed, Llc | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US10735874B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2020-08-04 | Soundmed, Llc | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US7664277B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2010-02-16 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Bone conduction hearing aid devices and methods |
US9906878B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2018-02-27 | Soundmed, Llc | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20070280495A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-06 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US9826324B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2017-11-21 | Soundmed, Llc | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US9781526B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2017-10-03 | Soundmed, Llc | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US8233654B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2012-07-31 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US9736602B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2017-08-15 | Soundmed, Llc | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US9615182B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2017-04-04 | Soundmed Llc | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20100220883A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2010-09-02 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US7796769B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2010-09-14 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US7801319B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2010-09-21 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US9185485B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2015-11-10 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US7844064B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2010-11-30 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US7844070B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2010-11-30 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US10477330B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2019-11-12 | Soundmed, Llc | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US9113262B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2015-08-18 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20100322449A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2010-12-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US20110002492A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2011-01-06 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Bone conduction hearing aid devices and methods |
US7876906B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2011-01-25 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US20110026740A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2011-02-03 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US8254611B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2012-08-28 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20090097685A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2009-04-16 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20110116659A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2011-05-19 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US11178496B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2021-11-16 | Soundmed, Llc | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US8712077B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2014-04-29 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US20070280493A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-06 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US20080019542A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2008-01-24 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20070286440A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-13 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US8649535B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2014-02-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20070280492A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-06 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US8170242B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2012-05-01 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US8588447B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2013-11-19 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20070280491A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-06 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing audio signals |
US8358792B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2013-01-22 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Actuator systems for oral-based appliances |
US20080064993A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2008-03-13 | Sonitus Medical Inc. | Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus |
US20090099408A1 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2009-04-16 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus |
USRE46626E1 (en) | 2006-10-27 | 2017-12-12 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Dental impression tray for use in obtaining an impression of a dental structure |
US8602773B2 (en) | 2006-10-27 | 2013-12-10 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Dental impression tray for use in obtaining an impression of a dental structure |
US20100106275A1 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2010-04-29 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Method and apparatus for obtaining data for a dental component and a physical dental model |
US20100075273A1 (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2010-03-25 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Dental impression tray for use in obtaining an impression of a dental structure |
US8234000B2 (en) | 2006-10-27 | 2012-07-31 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Method and apparatus for obtaining data for a dental component and a physical dental model |
US9937023B2 (en) | 2006-10-27 | 2018-04-10 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Method and apparatus for obtaining data for a dental component and a physical dental model |
USRE46824E1 (en) | 2006-10-27 | 2018-05-08 | Nobel Biocare Services Ag | Dental impression tray for use in obtaining an impression of a dental structure |
US10368963B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2019-08-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for selecting implant components |
US8206153B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2012-06-26 | Biomet 3I, Inc. | Method for selecting implant components |
US10925694B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2021-02-23 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for selecting implant components |
US9888985B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2018-02-13 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for selecting implant components |
US20080286722A1 (en) * | 2007-05-18 | 2008-11-20 | Biomet 3I, Inc. | Method for selecting implant components |
US9089380B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2015-07-28 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for selecting implant components |
US8270638B2 (en) | 2007-05-29 | 2012-09-18 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication, positioning and monitoring of user status |
US20100098270A1 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2010-04-22 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication, positioning and monitoring of user status |
US20080304677A1 (en) * | 2007-06-08 | 2008-12-11 | Sonitus Medical Inc. | System and method for noise cancellation with motion tracking capability |
US9262864B2 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2016-02-16 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Synchronized views of video data and three-dimensional model data |
US20090028352A1 (en) * | 2007-07-24 | 2009-01-29 | Petroff Michael L | Signal process for the derivation of improved dtm dynamic tinnitus mitigation sound |
US20100194333A1 (en) * | 2007-08-20 | 2010-08-05 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Intra-oral charging systems and methods |
US8433080B2 (en) | 2007-08-22 | 2013-04-30 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Bone conduction hearing device with open-ear microphone |
US20090052698A1 (en) * | 2007-08-22 | 2009-02-26 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Bone conduction hearing device with open-ear microphone |
US8224013B2 (en) * | 2007-08-27 | 2012-07-17 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Headset systems and methods |
US8660278B2 (en) | 2007-08-27 | 2014-02-25 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Headset systems and methods |
US20100290647A1 (en) * | 2007-08-27 | 2010-11-18 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Headset systems and methods |
US7682303B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2010-03-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US9143873B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2015-09-22 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US7854698B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2010-12-21 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US8585575B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2013-11-19 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US8177705B2 (en) | 2007-10-02 | 2012-05-15 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations |
US20090105523A1 (en) * | 2007-10-18 | 2009-04-23 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods for compliance monitoring |
US8777612B2 (en) | 2007-11-16 | 2014-07-15 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Components for use with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US20090130630A1 (en) * | 2007-11-16 | 2009-05-21 | Suttin Zachary B | Components for Use with a Surgical Guide for Dental Implant Placement |
US10667885B2 (en) | 2007-11-16 | 2020-06-02 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Components for use with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US9011146B2 (en) | 2007-11-16 | 2015-04-21 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Components for use with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US11207153B2 (en) | 2007-11-16 | 2021-12-28 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Components for use with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US8967999B2 (en) | 2007-11-16 | 2015-03-03 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Components for use with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US20090149722A1 (en) * | 2007-12-07 | 2009-06-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide two-way communications |
US8795172B2 (en) | 2007-12-07 | 2014-08-05 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide two-way communications |
US7974845B2 (en) | 2008-02-15 | 2011-07-05 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Stuttering treatment methods and apparatus |
US8270637B2 (en) | 2008-02-15 | 2012-09-18 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Headset systems and methods |
US20090208031A1 (en) * | 2008-02-15 | 2009-08-20 | Amir Abolfathi | Headset systems and methods |
US8712078B2 (en) | 2008-02-15 | 2014-04-29 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Headset systems and methods |
US8649543B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2014-02-11 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication and monitoring of user status |
US8023676B2 (en) | 2008-03-03 | 2011-09-20 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Systems and methods to provide communication and monitoring of user status |
US20090226020A1 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2009-09-10 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
US8433083B2 (en) | 2008-03-04 | 2013-04-30 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
US8150075B2 (en) | 2008-03-04 | 2012-04-03 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
US7945068B2 (en) | 2008-03-04 | 2011-05-17 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
US9204941B2 (en) | 2008-04-15 | 2015-12-08 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method of creating an accurate bone and soft-tissue digital dental model |
US20110129792A1 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2011-06-02 | Berckmans Iii Bruce | Method of creating an accurate bone and soft-tissue digital dental model |
US9848836B2 (en) | 2008-04-15 | 2017-12-26 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method of creating an accurate bone and soft-tissue digital dental model |
US8651858B2 (en) | 2008-04-15 | 2014-02-18 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method of creating an accurate bone and soft-tissue digital dental model |
US8870574B2 (en) | 2008-04-15 | 2014-10-28 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method of creating an accurate bone and soft-tissue digital dental model |
US8888488B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2014-11-18 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US11154258B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2021-10-26 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US8221121B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2012-07-17 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US9795345B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2017-10-24 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US8414296B2 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2013-04-09 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method for pre-operative visualization of instrumentation used with a surgical guide for dental implant placement |
US20090270673A1 (en) * | 2008-04-25 | 2009-10-29 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Methods and systems for tinnitus treatment |
US20100006111A1 (en) * | 2008-07-08 | 2010-01-14 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Custom fitted intra-oral appliances |
EP2314078A4 (en) * | 2008-07-08 | 2013-08-07 | Sonitus Medical Inc | Custom fitted intra-oral appliances |
WO2010005913A1 (en) | 2008-07-08 | 2010-01-14 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Custom fitted intra-oral appliances |
EP2314078A1 (en) * | 2008-07-08 | 2011-04-27 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Custom fitted intra-oral appliances |
US8333203B2 (en) | 2008-07-08 | 2012-12-18 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Custom fitted intra-oral appliances |
EP2389775A4 (en) * | 2009-01-20 | 2012-10-31 | Sonitus Medical Inc | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
EP2389775A1 (en) * | 2009-01-20 | 2011-11-30 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Dental bone conduction hearing appliance |
WO2010090998A1 (en) * | 2009-02-04 | 2010-08-12 | Sonitus Medical, Inc. | Intra-oral charging systems and methods |
US10484805B2 (en) | 2009-10-02 | 2019-11-19 | Soundmed, Llc | Intraoral appliance for sound transmission via bone conduction |
US8882508B2 (en) | 2010-12-07 | 2014-11-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Universal scanning member for use on dental implant and dental implant analogs |
US9662185B2 (en) | 2010-12-07 | 2017-05-30 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Universal scanning member for use on dental implant and dental implant analogs |
US8908891B2 (en) | 2011-03-09 | 2014-12-09 | Audiodontics, Llc | Hearing aid apparatus and method |
US10368964B2 (en) | 2011-05-16 | 2019-08-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features |
US8944818B2 (en) | 2011-05-16 | 2015-02-03 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features |
US11389275B2 (en) | 2011-05-16 | 2022-07-19 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features |
US8944816B2 (en) | 2011-05-16 | 2015-02-03 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary abutment with combination of scanning features and provisionalization features |
WO2013107500A1 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2013-07-25 | Phonak Ag | Method of manufacturing a hearing aid component |
US9089382B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2015-07-28 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method and apparatus for recording spatial gingival soft tissue relationship to implant placement within alveolar bone for immediate-implant placement |
US9452032B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2016-09-27 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Soft tissue preservation temporary (shell) immediate-implant abutment with biological active surface |
US10335254B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2019-07-02 | Evollution IP Holdings Inc. | Method and apparatus for recording spatial gingival soft tissue relationship to implant placement within alveolar bone for immediate-implant placement |
US9474588B2 (en) | 2012-01-23 | 2016-10-25 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Method and apparatus for recording spatial gingival soft tissue relationship to implant placement within alveolar bone for immediate-implant placement |
US10813729B2 (en) | 2012-09-14 | 2020-10-27 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Temporary dental prosthesis for use in developing final dental prosthesis |
US10092379B2 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2018-10-09 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Jigs for placing dental implant analogs in models and methods of doing the same |
US8926328B2 (en) | 2012-12-27 | 2015-01-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Jigs for placing dental implant analogs in models and methods of doing the same |
US20140329192A1 (en) * | 2013-03-02 | 2014-11-06 | Lucie R. Kaskoun | Electronically Enabled Removable Dental Device |
US10842598B2 (en) | 2013-12-20 | 2020-11-24 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Dental system for developing custom prostheses through scanning of coded members |
US9668834B2 (en) | 2013-12-20 | 2017-06-06 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Dental system for developing custom prostheses through scanning of coded members |
US10092377B2 (en) | 2013-12-20 | 2018-10-09 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Dental system for developing custom prostheses through scanning of coded members |
US9700390B2 (en) | 2014-08-22 | 2017-07-11 | Biomet 3I, Llc | Soft-tissue preservation arrangement and method |
US11571282B2 (en) | 2015-03-09 | 2023-02-07 | Keystone Dental, Inc. | Gingival ovate pontic and methods of using the same |
US10449018B2 (en) | 2015-03-09 | 2019-10-22 | Stephen J. Chu | Gingival ovate pontic and methods of using the same |
CN106420149A (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2017-02-22 | 天津健康家园科技有限公司 | Electronic stutter corrector |
CN106618841A (en) * | 2016-11-29 | 2017-05-10 | 天津健康家园科技有限公司 | Buccal type stutter corrector |
US11034142B2 (en) * | 2017-03-15 | 2021-06-15 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Temperature regulation to improve additive 3D printing function |
US20180264750A1 (en) * | 2017-03-15 | 2018-09-20 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. | Temperature regulation to improve additive 3d printing function |
WO2018183511A3 (en) * | 2017-03-28 | 2018-11-29 | Scientific Intake Limited Co. | Methods of producing removable oral devices |
US10764677B2 (en) | 2017-09-12 | 2020-09-01 | Sonitus Technologies, Inc. | Two-way communication system and method of use |
US11683641B2 (en) | 2017-09-12 | 2023-06-20 | Integrated Tactical Technologies, Llc | Two-way communication system and method of use |
CN114789526A (en) * | 2021-01-26 | 2022-07-26 | 无锡时代天使医疗器械科技有限公司 | Method for manufacturing shell-shaped dental instrument |
US20220240857A1 (en) * | 2021-02-03 | 2022-08-04 | Ivoclar Vivadent Ag | Dental Sensor System For Mounting A Dental Sensor |
CN116749522A (en) * | 2023-06-29 | 2023-09-15 | 合肥卓越义齿制作有限公司 | 3D printing system and method for orthodontic correction tool |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2661346A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
AU2007286786B2 (en) | 2012-03-08 |
US20130006043A1 (en) | 2013-01-03 |
US8291912B2 (en) | 2012-10-23 |
AU2007286786A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
WO2008024794A3 (en) | 2008-11-27 |
US20130306230A1 (en) | 2013-11-21 |
EP2055142A4 (en) | 2012-10-03 |
WO2008024794A2 (en) | 2008-02-28 |
JP2010501278A (en) | 2010-01-21 |
JP5331692B2 (en) | 2013-10-30 |
EP2055142A2 (en) | 2009-05-06 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8291912B2 (en) | Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances | |
US10477330B2 (en) | Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations | |
US8333203B2 (en) | Custom fitted intra-oral appliances | |
EP2064916B1 (en) | Methods and apparatus for treating tinnitus | |
JP2960544B2 (en) | Hearing aid and manufacturing method thereof | |
US20120195448A9 (en) | Tinnitus masking systems | |
CN101491115B (en) | Method and apparatus for transmitting vibrations | |
Pirzanski | Earmolds and Hearing Aid Shells: A Tutorial |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SONITUS MEDICAL, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ABOLFATHI, AMIR;PHAN, LOC X.;REEL/FRAME:019718/0870 Effective date: 20060822 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT, MA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SONITUS MEDICAL INC.;REEL/FRAME:034912/0276 Effective date: 20150203 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, AS AGENT, MAR Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:037154/0115 Effective date: 20151123 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, AS AGENT DBA Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ZIP CODE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037154 FRAME: 0115. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:037461/0095 Effective date: 20151123 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SONITUS (ASSIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS), Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SONITUS MEDICAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:038060/0943 Effective date: 20150204 Owner name: SOUNDMED, LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SONITUS (ASSIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS), LLC;REEL/FRAME:038061/0168 Effective date: 20151026 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YR, SMALL ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M2552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SONITUS MEDICAL (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD., CHINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SOUNDMED, LLC;REEL/FRAME:057649/0916 Effective date: 20210722 |